Warming Trend Ahead; Spring-Like Christmas Day Ahead
PLEASANT AFTERNOON: As expected, after a sub-freezing start temperatures have warmed nicely across Alabama this afternoon… most communities are in the 58-62 degree range with a sunny sky. Tonight will be fair and not as cold as last night… we expect a low in the upper 30s and low 40s early tomorrow morning.
The warming trend continues tomorrow… we reach the mid to upper 60s with a partly to mostly sunny sky.
Christmas Day will be dry and warm with a high in the 70-74 degree range. The latest NBM (National Blend of Models) is printing a high of 72 degrees for Birmingham Saturday. If we reach that, it will be a tie for the sixth warmest Christmas Day on record (tied with 1964, when the high was also 72). Temperatures have reached or exceeded 70 degrees in Birmingham on December 25 ten times since 1900…
2016 78
2015 77
1987 74
1982 73
1942 73
1964 72
1926 71
1922 71
2019 70
1901 70
Model data suggests moisture levels will rise Sunday, and we have introduced a chance of widely scattered showers during the day. Nothing widespread… otherwise we are forecasting a mix of sun with a high in the low 70s.
NEXT WEEK: The weather will remain unseasonably mild through the week with highs mostly in the low 70s, thanks to an upper ridge over the Gulf Coast region. Moisture levels will rise by mid-week, and we will need to mention a chance of showers Wednesday, Thursday, and most likely on Friday as well. On the positive side, we don’t expect any severe weather issues.
We will continue to watch brutally cold air that will be in place next week over the Northern Plains and the Northwest U.S.. at some point it will have to move, but it will remain north of Alabama for the next 7-10 days, most likely. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1921: An estimated F3 tornado struck the town of Clarkedale, Arkansas, killing six and injuring 60 others. Four people died in the destruction of the Banks and Danner store, where 50 people were doing their Christmas shopping.
ON THIS DATE IN 1998: A major ice storm struck central and southeast Virginia and much of North Carolina beginning on Wednesday, December 23, and lasting until Christmas Day morning. Icy conditions caused injuries from slips and falls and numerous vehicle accidents. Ice accumulations of up to an inch brought down trees.
ON THIS DATE IN 2015: A violent EF-4 tornado moved along a path from near Holly Springs, MS to Selmer, Tennessee, killing nine people two days before Christmas.
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Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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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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