Colder but Sun Returns

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The good news is that we should be seeing some sun by afternoon as the sky gradually clears. But the bad news is that it is going to be a somewhat raw day with a good northwest to north wind keeping temperatures in the 40s. The surface map has become less complex as high pressure settles into the Lower Mississippi River Valley, but with a good northwesterly flow we will see strong cold air advection today and tonight.

By Tuesday and Wednesday the upper level pattern begins to evolve as we gradually warm up as slight ridging begins to take hold. By Thursday, a strong short wave will dig into the Southwest US and northern Mexico, pumping up the ridge somewhat over the Southeast and returning the upper flow to the southwest. This will set the stage with additional Pacific moisture to bring a round of wet weather to Central Alabama for next weekend. By Friday and Saturday, a closed low will dig into northern Mexico tapping the warmth and moisture from the Pacific, so temperatures should warm nicely well into the 60s. I would not be surprised to see South Alabama reach the lower 70s. But with the southwesterly flow comes a plume of Pacific moisture soaking the Southeast US Saturday and especially Sunday. Fortunately, the colder air has migrated north, so at least for now it does not appear that there will be any major winter weather problems across the US.

After the good rains yesterday, we stay dry through Thursday with rain returning Friday. Rainfall amounts will be fairly light, around a third of an inch or less. But we could see another big soaker on Sunday.

No organized severe weather is expected for the next several days.

Outlook for Christmas still looking dry and cool for us with the GFS depicting a broad trough just east of the Mississippi River Valley. That overall broad trough sticks with us for the last few days of 2013 bringing a cool but dry end to the year.

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James Spann will have the next Weather Xtreme Video bright and early Monday morning. Remember, Toys for Tots needs your help to collect 80,000 toys for needy children in Central Alabama. ABC 3340 will kick off a 26-hour toy drive at 4 pm on Tuesday at Legacy Barbecue on John Hawkins Parkway in Hoover to meet that goal and we can sure use your help with an unwrapped toy. Have a great day, stay warm, and Godspeed.

-Brian-

Category: Alabama's Weather