Cold Today With Gradual Clearing
COLD MONDAY: In the wake of the system that brought lots of rain and snow to Alabama over the weekend, a cold airmass lingers this morning. Temperatures are mostly in the 30s, and a few spots over North Alabama are below freezing. We expect clouds this morning to give way to a partly sunny sky this afternoon… the high will be in the mid 40s. The average high for Birmingham on January 17 is 54.
Tomorrow will be a sunny day; after a morning low in the 20s, temperatures reach the mid 50s by afternoon.
REST OF THE WEEK: Clouds will increase Wednesday ahead of a cold front. Rain will push into the northwest part of the state by mid to late afternoon, and rain is likely statewide Wednesday night. There could be a rumble of thunder in spots; SPC has defined a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms west of the state for parts of Southeast Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, but severe storms are not expected in Alabama.
Rain ends early Thursday, and another shot of cold air rolls into the state. Parts of North Alabama could hold in the 30s all day, and while a few snow flurries are possible over some northern counties early Thursday no impact is expected. Friday will be cold and dry with a mix of sun and clouds… the high will be in the 40s.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Global models from time to time have given signals of a potential surface low in the northern Gulf of Mexico Saturday, with a chance of rain or snow for Alabama. There is a great amount of inconsistency in model output, but the idea is plausible in this pattern, and there is some support from the ensembles. For now I will just keep it very broad, and forecast a mostly cloudy day Saturday with a chance of some rain or snow; there won’t be much clarity for a few more days. If you have something planned outdoors Saturday it could very well turn out to be a dry day… just too early to call.
If a Gulf low forms, it will be gone by Sunday, and the day should be dry. Highs over the weekend should be mostly in the 40s.
NEXT WEEK: For now a decent part of the week looks dry with below average temperatures… highs most days will be in the 40s and low 40s with lows in the 20s and low 30s. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1994: On January 17, 1994, at 4:31 a.m. PST, a magnitude 6?.7 earthquake centered in Northridge struck the southern California area. Known as the Northridge Earthquake, it caused at least 57 fatalities (a subsequent study put the death toll at 72, including heart attacks) and injured thousands.
ON THIS DATE IN 1999: A total of 22 tornado tornadoes touched down across parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The most violent was an F4 tornado that tracked across southern Jackson, Tennessee, damaging more than 200 homes and 55 buses. The storm killed six people and injured 106.
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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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