A Little Colder Tomorrow

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A LITTLE WARMER: It’s a tropical heat wave. Birmingham is at 43 degrees at 2:00; this is our second warmest day of the year (the warmest was on January 1 when the high was 45). It is interesting to note we have failed to reach 50 degrees so far in 2010, and we have experienced morning lows below 25 degrees for the past ten consecutive mornings. We are forecasting a low of 23 degrees tonight, so there is a great chance will make it 11 mornings in a row below 25, which will be new record. Birmingham’s current record streak of 11 days of temperatures below 25 degrees was set in January 1940.

SHORT TERM: Clouds will move into Alabama tonight ahead of an impulse riding down the back side of the long wave upper trough over the eastern third of the nation. There is some risk of a few snow flurries tomorrow morning as that disturbance passes over the state, but moisture is razor thin, just like that ice on Alabama ponds, and nothing significant is expected. Then, the sun returns tomorrow afternoon as the system moves away. We note tomorrow will be a little colder with a high back in the mid to upper 30s.

WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: A noticeable warming trend headlines our forecast for these three days. Look for a high around 50 on Wednesday, followed by mid 50s on Thursday and Friday. That will feel wonderful, and each day should feature a good supply of sunshine, although high clouds will begin to increase Friday.

THE WEEKEND WET AT TIMES: A significant storm system coming out of the Gulf of Mexico will bring periods of rain to the state Saturday and Saturday night. The heaviest rain should be over South Alabama, around here we figure amounts of 1/2 to 1 inch will be likely. The 12Z GFS tries to keep moist air over the state Sunday morning, but we believe the bulk of the rain will be east of Alabama by midday Sunday. And, no cold air behind the storm system. Temperatures will remain close to average values for early January Sunday and into early next week.

LONG RANGE/VOODOO LAND: No sign of any Arctic air intrusion into Alabama through January 27 as the GFS wants to paint a western trough and an eastern ridge for a change. But, there are signs of the AO (Arctic Oscillation) going down into negative territory again around the end of the month, and we have to remember winter as a long way to go. But, the screaming message is that the next two weeks should be much warmer than the last two weeks.

JACKSON, MS ISSUES: Thanks to Joe Chance relaying information about water problems over in Jackson…

“Gov. Haley Barbour today declared a state of emergency in the city of Jackson because numerous water line breaks have shut down water service, forcing closing of schools and businesses. State offices in Jackson will close at noon, and non-essential state employees in Jackson may go home. State offices in Jackson will be open Tuesday, and employees should report back to work on Tuesday, unless otherwise notified. Jackson schools and Jackson State University are closing early today because of lack of water or heat brought on by the extreme cold weather.”

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I had a great time today seeing the 2nd graders at Floyd Elementary in Gadsden… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News! The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…

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