Arctic Air Invades Tonight; Even Colder Next Week

An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player on the right sidebar of the blog. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.

WINDY AND COLD: As expected, the rain moved out of Alabama late this morning, and conditions are now windy and cold with falling temperatures. It is below freezing already over parts of Northwest Alabama, and we project a low between 15 and 20 degrees for most places early tomorrow morning. Northwest winds of 10-20 mph will push the wind chill index down to near zero late tonight and early tomorrow morning.

BRIGHTER TOMORROW: The good news is that the sun comes back in full force tomorrow, but the day will be cold with a high only in the mid 30s.

OUR WEEKEND: Saturday morning will be cold again with a low between 19 and 23, but we warm to the 47 to 50 degree range Saturday afternoon with a good supply of sunshine. Then, clouds return Sunday along with showers ahead of the next Arctic front. Rain probably won’t be too heavy, and the high Sunday will be around 50 degrees, most likely reached during the early afternoon.

BITTERLY COLD AIR SUNDAY NIGHT INTO NEXT WEEK: No real change in our thinking. Temperatures fall quickly Sunday evening, and there is a chance the rain could change to snow briefly before ending over North and Central Alabama. While there could be a dusting of snow in spots, significant accumulation doesn’t look likely for now. Clearly, the big issue is the cold air.

LONG DURATION FREEZE: For most of North/Central Alabama, we expect to be below freezing for a little over 60 consecutive hours, from Sunday night through Wednesday morning.

MONDAY: We begin the day in the teens, and we most likely won’t get out of the 20s during the day. There could be a few light snow flurries around, and strong north winds will push the wind chill index below zero for a good part of the day.

TUESDAY: The new 12Z GFS MOS is still printing a low of 9 degrees for Birmingham at daybreak Tuesday. We figure most places will see a low between 8 and 13 degrees, our coldest morning since January 24, 2003 when the low in Birmingham was 7 degrees. Despite a sunny sky, we once again stay below freezing all day. The wind won’t be as fierce, however.

WEDNESDAY: I figure most places will see a low between 10 and 15 degrees early Wednesday, but finally we begin to warm up later in the day. With a strong January sun, we should reach the 37-41 degree range by Wednesday afternoon.

Like I often say here, I don’t like to insult your intelligence with stupid “cold tips” that anyone with common sense would know, but be sure and check on elderly people that might not have adequate heat, and also bring in the pets. They don’t like this cold either.

Take some time to watch the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and more details.

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 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.

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.

CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…

Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus
Instagram

Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow….

Tags: cold

Category: Alabama's Weather