Here are some low temperatures across Alabama early this morning… Black Creek (near Gadsden) 31 Vic Bell, reports: “My first May freeze here in 20 years of record-keeping, I’ve had frost as late as May 22” Little River Falls 31 Heflin 35 Haleyville 35 Gadsden 35 Pell City 36 Hueytown 36 Weaver 36 Sylacauga 37 […]
FROSTY NIGHTS: Every year I advise people to plant anything that might be harmed by frost, or a freeze, until April 15. We almost always have a late season cold snap in April, and here it is. A frost advisory is in effect for the northern half of Alabama tonight; we project lows between 32 and 36 for most places, but the colder spots will see temperatures between 27 and 32 by daybreak tomorrow.
SOAKER: Rain is widespread across Alabama early this morning, and rain will cover pretty much all of the state at times today as a wave of low pressure moves along a stalled front near the Gulf Coast. A flash flood watch is in effect for parts of Central and South Alabama, where rain amounts will be around one inch today. Amounts for North Alabama will be 1/2 to 1 inch.
MORE RAIN AHEAD: On the maps this afternoon we have a stalled surface front over far South Alabama. Clouds cover most of the state, although the sun is breaking through in spots over the Tennessee Valley. Temperatures are mostly in the 40s and 50s, and there is patchy light rain over parts of Central and South Alabama.
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.
James Spann
@spann
