RADAR CHECK: As advertised, rain covers much of Alabama this afternoon. It is a cold rain with temperatures generally in the 40s over the northern half of the state; we are seeing 50s over South Alabama. Occasional rain will continue tonight; the rain will end from west to east early tomorrow morning.
CLOUDLESS SKY: All 67 Alabama counties are completely cloud-free this afternoon as a cold, dry airmass stays in place. Temperatures are only in the mid 30s over North Alabama, with low 40s to the south. These values are about 20 degrees below average for late January in Alabama. Tonight will be clear and very cold; most places will see a low between 20 and 25, but teens are likely for the colder spots.
FRIGID AIR: Temperatures are generally between 20 and 25 degrees over the northern half of Alabama; they have been holding steady through the night thanks to a deck of mid level clouds that moved in. Our Skywatcher at Black Creek (near Gadsden), Vic Bell, did drop to 16 degrees at midnight last night before the clouds moved in. We have freezing temperatures all the way down to the Gulf Coast; Mobile reports 28 degrees just before daybreak. As expected, we have received a few reports of light snow flurries over North Alabama early this morning, but there is no impact.
COLD JANUARY DAY: Clouds are lingering over far North Alabama this afternoon, where temperatures remain below freezing. At 2pm CT, Decatur reported 26 degrees, a north wind at 12 mph, and a wind chill index of 16. Even where the sun is shining, temperatures haven’t responded much. Birmingham was at 35 degrees at 2:00… the average high for Birmingham on January 20 is 54.
Today will be sunny but cold; areas north of Birmingham hold in the 30s all day; Central Alabama will see low to mid 40s, with low 50s over the far southern counties of of the state. Tonight will feature a freeze statewide; lows over North/Central Alabama will be mostly in the 20-25 degree range, with a few upper teens for colder spots.
CLOUDY, COLD DECEMBER DAY: As advertised, temperatures are only in the 30s and 40s across Alabama this afternoon with a cloudy sky. The average high for December 17 at Birmingham is 55. The sky will clear tonight, and we drop into the 20s early tomorrow morning.
OVERCAST, COLD DAY: It has been a day of low clouds, fog, light rain, and drizzle for Alabama with temperatures in the 40s over the northern half of the state. Rain will end tonight across the state as the surface low moves to the east, but the sky will remain cloudy. Temperatures drop into the upper 30s by daybreak tomorrow.
SUNNY DECEMBER DAY: Sunshine is out in full force over the northern 2/3 of Alabama this afternoon; clouds linger near the Gulf Coast with some scattered light rain there. Temperatures are only in the 40s over North Alabama, about ten degrees below average for mid-December. Tonight will be fair and cold; most places will see a low in the 28-32 degree range early tomorrow.
COLD, WET DECEMBER DAY WITH SOME SNOW OVER NORTH ALABAMA: As advertised early this morning, temperatures have been falling steadily across Alabama today following the passage of a cold front, and temperatures are in the mid-30s over the northern third of the state.
SNOW: As cold air deepens over North Alabama, rain will most likely change to light snow before ending late this afternoon and tonight. The change could come as early as 4:00 to 6:00 over the northwest corner of the state, but the main window comes from 6:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Snow accumulation potential will be limited by the warm ground, but some grassy areas could see 1/2 to 1 inch in spots north of U.S. 278 (north of a line from Hamilton to Cullman to Gadsden). Roads will be just wet tonight with no travel impact; surface temperatures will be in the mid 30s.
COLD EARLY DECEMBER DAY: Temperatures are only in the 38-44 degree range over the northern half of Alabama this afternoon; the average high for December 2 at Birmingham is 59. The sky is mostly cloudy over the northern third of the state, with a good supply of sunshine for the southern counties. Tonight will be fair and cold; we project a low between 25 and 30 degrees for most places early tomorrow morning.
BLUSTERY MONDAY: A deep upper low is moving through the eastern third of the nation this morning, and will pull much colder air down into Alabama today. We note a few snow flurries on radar over the northeast counties of the state early this morning, but temperatures are above freezing, and there will be no impact. Look for a mix of sun and clouds today; temperatures won’t get out of the 40s, and they hold in the 30s all day over the Tennessee Valley of far North Alabama. A brisk northwest wind of 10-20 mph will make it feel colder.
ON THIS DATE IN 1950: Alabamians paid little attention to the weather forecast on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 1950. The Birmingham News carried a lead article about the many blessings of the day, including bountiful food, talking about the day’s candied yams, crisp white celery, plump olives and a golden brown roasted turkey. Headlines told […]
James Spann
@spann
