Rain, Then Cold, and Colder…
**No afternoon Weather Xtreme video today; we are on a holiday schedule. We get back to the “two a day” routine tomorrow**
RADAR CHECK: The sub-tropical jet stream remains over Alabama, and rain is falling in places along and south of a line from Auburn to Montgomery to Jackson. Temperatures around here have reached the low 50s, as forecast.
Rain will advance northward tonight, and we still expect periods of rain across North-Central Alabama, mainly in the 2:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. time frame tomorrow. Rain amounts of around 1/2 inch are likely.
COLD SHOT NUMBER ONE: While we begin the day tomorrow in the 40s, temperatures will fall into the 30s tomorrow afternoon as the first cold shot arrives. We might see a few light snow flurries in the colder air tomorrow afternoon, but the deeper moisture will be out of here by then.
By daybreak Friday, we expect a low between 17 and 21 degrees for most places. North winds of 10-20 mph will push the wind chill index down to near zero at daybreak Friday. The sky will be sunny Friday, but cold air stays in place with a high only in the mid 30s. Some communities north of Birmingham will have a hard time getting above freezing Friday afternoon despite the sunshine.
OUR WEEKEND: Saturday morning will be cold with a low well down in the 20s, but we rise to near 50 degrees Saturday afternoon with a sunny sky. It will clearly be the nicest day of the weekend. Then, on Sunday, clouds return with a chance of light rain at times ahead of an Arctic cold front. Snow flurries are possible Sunday night as the coldest air so far this season blows in here.
COLD SHOT NUMBER TWO: As discussed this morning, this could be the coldest air in Alabama in ten years. Monday will be windy and cold; a few snow flurries are possible, but moisture will be limited and they should pose no problems. We won’t get out of the 30s Monday afternoon.
We are still projecting lows in the 10-15 degree range across North/Central Alabama early Tuesday and Wednesday morning. There is a good chance we will be below freezing from roughly 6 p.m. Monday through 10:00 a.m. Wednesday (40 consecutive hours).
And, strong north winds will drive the wind chill index into the sub-zero range at times Tuesday, and possibly Tuesday night.
I don’t like to insult your intelligence here with “stupid tips” during times of very hot and very cold weather, so you know what you need to do for your situation. One thing we encourage is to check on elderly people that might not have a good source of heat.
We will be able to fine tune the temperature forecasts as the event gets closer, but this is a high coincidence forecast with a cross polar flow.
TRAVELING? A major winter storm will bring blizzard conditions along with heavy snow to the upper Atlantic coast during the next 36 hours; blizzard warnings are up for Long Island, and a winter storm warning is in effect for Boston.
SUGAR BOWL WEATHER: For Alabama fans headed to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl (tomorrow night; 7:30p CT kickoff), the weather will be generally cloudy in New Orleans through tomorrow. Expect periods of rain today and tonight (no severe thunder, just good ole fashioned rain). The bulk of the rain should be over by tomorrow morning… highs in New Orleans today and tomorrow will be in the 50s. The high will drop into the 40s there Friday, but the sun will return.
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WEATHER: For now it looks like routine southern California weather for Auburn fans making the trip out west. No rain for the next 7-10 days at Pasadena, CA; highs are in the 70s, with lows between 47 and 52. Lots of sun.
BBVA COMPASS BOWL: A perfect day for football in Birmingham Saturday, when Vanderbilt and Houston match up at 12:00 noon. Lots of sun; the kickoff temperature will be near 42 degrees, rising to near 50 by the final whistle. No risk of rain.
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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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