Arctic Cold Settles Into Alabama; Becoming Partly Sunny
FRIGID AIR: Temperatures are generally in the 10-18 degree range over the northern half of Alabama this morning… we even had a hard freeze down to the Gulf Coast; Mobile reports 20 degrees just before daybreak. Snow flurries overnight have provided a “dusting” to almost one inch this morning for many areas, and between that and black ice travel is very difficult in many areas. Unfortunately temperatures won’t go above freezing over North Alabama today, but at least we expect to see some sun at times as the sky becomes partly sunny.
Tonight will bring another hard freeze with lows mostly in the 15-22 degree range.
THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM: Clouds will increase across the state tomorrow as temperatures rise into the 40s. Rain is likely tomorrow night, into part of the day Thursday. That precipitation, however, will likely fall in the form of sleet, some freezing rain, and maybe a few snow flakes over the northwest part of Alabama tomorrow night… a “wintry mix”.
Some light accumulation will be possible tomorrow night where the wintry mix develops. Impacts will be heavily dependent on the surface temperatures which will be hovering around freezing. Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid upper 30s and low 40s on Thursday, preventing long term impacts. The counties with potential for some impact tomorrow night include Marion, Winston, Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Morgan, Limestone, and Madison. For the rest of the state, it will be just rain.
Rain will end Thursday afternoon, and a few snow flurries are possible on the back side of the system Thursday night, but for now no accumulation is expected. Then, on Friday, the day will be cold and dry with a clearing sky… the high will be in the 38-44 degree range.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Expect a nice warming trend with a good supply of sunshine both days. The high Saturday will be in the low 50s, followed by low 60s Sunday.
NEXT WEEK: We get a nice break from the cold air… highs will be in the 60s. Showers are possible with a cold front Monday, and then again late in the week Friday. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1989: A surge of arctic air produced all-time record high barometric pressure readings of 31.08 inches at Duluth Minnesota, 30.97 inches at Chicago Illinois, and 30.94 inches at South Bend Indiana. Readings of 31.00 inches at Milwaukee Wisconsin, and 30.98 inches at Rockford, Illinois, tied their all-time records. Unseasonably warm weather prevailed across the southeastern U.S. Highs of 81 degrees at Athens, Georgia, 87 degrees at Charleston South Carolina, 85 degrees at Macon Georgia, and 86 degrees at Savannah Georgia were records for February.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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