Even Colder Yet

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Well, if you liked the cold weather over the last several days, then you are going to like what is coming our way over the next few days! But for today, look for clouds ahead of the next system with rain approaching from the northwest. It appears that the daytime will be mostly dry with rain and showers occurring this evening and into early Sunday.

As James Spann and Dr. Tim Coleman have already noted in earlier posts, some very frigid air is poised to invade the Southeast. And it appears this invasion will be even colder than the one we just experienced.

A trough coming through the northern Plains states is forecast to close off and dig southeastward into the Southeast US. This will be accompanied by a strong surface low that has already generating conditions across the Central US with numerous winter weather warnings and advisories. I expect to see these warnings and advisories extended eastward and southeastward during the day today as the overall system comes together. For us, it appears the rain will not get to Central Alabama until this evening with temperatures the warmest we’ve seen in days with highs in the mid 50s. The rain should spread over all of Central Alabama by midnight. And therein lies the rub!

Rainfall is likely to total one half to one inch for most localities – a good thing – but the cold air is coming quickly behind the rain with some rain possibly occurring in the colder air. So there is a small window for some freezing rain. But the rain that fell on the ground and pavement will linger as the colder air arrives bringing the potential for icing on roadways Sunday morning. The prime area that could experience this is generally north and west of Interstate 59. So if you have plans to venture out early Sunday morning, be aware that black ice – that kind that is nearly impossible to see ahead of time – could be an issue for travel. I’m certain there will be more information on this as the situation unfolds and becomes clearer.

With the cold air arriving Sunday, we probably will not get out of the 30s. And depending on the exact arrival time of the cold air, we are very likely to experience the high for the day at 12:01 am with temperature during the afternoon in the 30s. So besides the black ice threat, be sure to dress accordingly for the cold conditions. While I do not expect anything significant, the cold air and residual moisture could lead to some snow flurries Sunday as well.

Monday will not be a lot different – just plain cold. We will start the day out in the teens with the afternoon high reaching only 32 degrees. Tuesday will be the coldest morning with lows in the lower teens and some spots getting into single digits.

Slight moderation begins Tuesday afternoon with the high at least getting above freezing. With an upper ridge building over us, slow moderation of temperature can be expected through the week with lows by Thursday in the 40s and highs by Thursday to near 60.

The nearly zonal flow aloft will bring moisture from the Southwest Thursday into Saturday allowing for some scattered showers but rainfall will be spotty. Colder air arrives Saturday with the rain moving out.

Further out into voodoo country, the GFS is showing a ridge around the 23rd with temperatures likely to be mild. But by the 26th another system with cold potential is forecast to arrive. And no, I won’t make any speculation on a White Christmas in Central Alabama.

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I hope you have a great day today and enjoy the somewhat mild temperatures. Stay up with the weather into Sunday. I expect to have the next Weather Xtreme Video posted by 8 am on Sunday morning. Have a great day and Godspeed.

-Brian-

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Category: Alabama's Weather