Cold, Wet Monday For North Alabama

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MAY, OR JANUARY? Temperatures are generally in the 50s across this part of Alabama at mid-afternoon… keep in mind the average high for May 6 (for Birmingham) is 79 degrees. It is likely that Birmingham will set another record low maximum temperature today… we need to reach 61 to tie the record, and I am not sure that will happen with thick low clouds and temperatures in the upper 50s. Fort Payne reports only 50 degrees at mid-afternoon.

And, on radar, a band of moderate rain is moving southward… heaviest rain at 3:30 is falling in places like Smith Lake, Hanceville, Susan Moore, and Altoona. This rain band is moving south, and should move into the Birmingham metro within the hour. We note there also showers south of Birmingham in a broad zone from Denopolis to Sylacauga.

ON THE MAPS: The deep, cold core upper low responsible for the chilly, unsettled weather is between Nashville and Knoxville, and moving slowly to the east.

Tonight will be cloudy and cold with rain tapering off this evening; we should be in the mid to upper 40s at daybreak tomorrow… way below average for May, but not quite at record levels.

WARM-UP BEGINS TOMORROW: After a cloudy, cold start, we are forecasting the sky to become partly sunny tomorrow afternoon, and if the sun does break out as expected, we should rise into the low 70s.

The warm-up continues through mid-week; with a good supply of sunshine we expect a high in the upper 70s Wednesday, followed by low to mid 80s Thursday. It will finally feel like May in Alabama.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Moisture will move back into Alabama at the end of the week, and we will introduce the risk of a shower Friday afternoon. Then, rain will be more widespread on Saturday as an upper low lifts out of the Southwest U.S. I know there are many, many outdoor events scheduled, but we can’t give you the exact start/stop times of the rain this far out. Just understand rain is likely Saturday, and it could rain at any hour of the day or night. Some thunderstorms could be involved, but for now we don’t expect any severe weather problems. Rain amounts of about one inch are likely.

On Sunday, a cold front will move southward across the state, and the rain should end from northwest to southeast. For this part of Alabama (Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Gadsden), we believe the best chance of rain Sunday will come during the morning hours, with some clearing possible late in the day.

NEXT WEEK: Another cold airmass settles in here Sunday night… sure looks like we are headed for the 40s at daybreak Monday, as the winter of 2012-13 just won’t go away. But, the high Monday should be in the low 70s with sunshine in full supply… the first half of the week looks dry with a warming trend.

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I had a great time today seeing the kindergarten kids at Helena Elementary School… be sure and watch for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News! The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here bright and early tomorrow morning by 7:00 a.m….

Tags: drier

Category: Alabama's Weather