Coldest Air So Far Arrives Tonight
**I will post a Weather Xtreme video later today when I arrive at ABC 33/40… we are on a holiday schedule through Sunday**
BIG WEATHER CHANGE COMING: Temperatures should rise into the mid to upper 60s across North-Central Alabama today with a mix of sun and clouds, but a cold blast rolls into the state late this afternoon and tonight. Ahead of the front, a few sprinkles are possible, mainly along and north of U.S. 278, but measurable rain is not expected since the air is so dry.
FRIGID SATURDAY: The good news is that the sun should out in full force tomorrow, but the day will be raw and cold. We start the day near the freezing mark, and much of North Alabama won’t make it out of the 40s despite the sunshine. Then, by daybreak Sunday with a clear sky and light wind, we project lows in the mid 20s for most communities around here. Some of the colder valleys might make a run at the upper teens for the first time this fall. Then, the day Sunday will be sunny and cool with a high in the upper 50s.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the high school playoff games tonight, temperatures will drop through the 40s with a chilly north breeze at 7 to 14 mph, but the sky will be generally clear.
Tomorrow’s Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa will be dry and cold. The sky will be sunny with a kickoff temperature near 51 degrees. The mercury will drop into the mid 40s by halftime, and could very reach the upper 30s by the final whistle. A north breeze of 10-15 mph will make it feel colder.
UAB will travel to a warmer setting, where they play UCF in Orlando tomorrow (11:00 a.m. CST kickoff). The sky will be mostly sunny, with temperatures rising from near 66 at kickoff to around 70 degrees by the fourth quarter.
NEXT WEEK: A dynamic weather system will impact Alabama late Monday night and Tuesday. Run to run consistency has not been that great, and the last few models runs aren’t as bullish on severe weather. It hints at potential for strong storms, main in the window from midnight Monday night to 12:00 noon Tuesday. But, with limited instability, and a rather unfavorable surface pressure field, the severe weather threat looks somewhat marginal. But, this will probably change again as we get closer, so stay tuned. Looks like rain amounts of 1/2 to 1 inch are likely.
Colder and drier air returns Tuesday night.
ELEVEN YEARS AGO TOMORROW: Three dozen tornadoes touched down in Alabama November 24, 2011, killing four people and injuring many more. Two deaths were at Sand Rock, in Cherokee County, and the other two were in West Alabama’s Lamar County at Kennedy. The National Weather Service in Birmingham issued 85 warnings including 58 tornado warnings for 33 counties and 27 severe thunderstorm warnings for 22 counties.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.
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Enjoy the day!
Category: Alabama's Weather
About the Author (Author Profile)
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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