Nice Weekend Warm-Up
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ANOTHER COLD START: Another sub-freezing morning; Cullman has dropped to 25 degrees early this morning; Birmingham reports 32 degrees just before sun-up. But, later today our warming trend resumes as temperatures will rise into the mid 60s this afternoon with a bright sunny sky.
FINALLY A SPRING-LIKE WEEKEND: Expect a high in the upper 60s tomorrow as we kick off the weekend; the sky will be partly to mostly sunny as dry air remains in place. To the west, SPC has parts of Texas along the I-35 corridor in a “slight risk” of severe weather, and some high clouds from those storms could advance into the state, but the low levels will remain very dry.
The GFS is printing a high of 72 degrees Sunday afternoon. The day will be breezy with an increase in clouds as the storm system to the west gets closer. The 06Z GFS is a little faster, hinting that showers or storms could move into Alabama Sunday night. But, the daytime hours Sunday will stay dry.
RAIN RETURNS: Showers and storms are likely Monday. Still no real surface based instability across the northern half of Alabama, and the risk of severe weather, for now, still seems low. The main window for showers and storms based on the latest GFS runs will come from about 3:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Monday, and rain amounts of one-half to one inch are likely.
REST OF NEXT WEEK: The sky will clear Tuesday, but temperatures will be only slightly cooler with a high in the upper 50s. The rest of the week will be dry and mild; the GFS is showing low 70s again by Thursday and Friday.
THE LAND OF VOODOO: The pattern actually looks pretty quiet considering this is March. After Monday, the next rain event doesn’t show up until March 20, and there is no real severe weather setup on the board here over the next 15 days. See the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and details.
LOOKING AHEAD: The average date of the last freeze in Birmingham is April 5, but keep in mind we have had a freeze as late as April 23 (in 1986). If you want to be reasonably sure a freeze won’t damage your plants, you should hold off until April 15 (tax day). When we begin to warm up in March, the temptation is great, but cold snaps are common here into early April.
WE LOSE SOME SLEEP THIS WEEKEND: We go back on Daylight Saving Time this weekend; turn your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. The sun will set Sunday evening at 6:51 p.m. CDT.
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I have a weather program this morning at Edgewood Elementary School in Homewood… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 this afternoon. 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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