Sunday Morning Forecast Briefing: Start of Meteorological Winter Marked by Chilly Conditions

NO VIDEO TODAY BECAUSE OF TRAVEL

The first day of December not only kicks off a new month but also marks the official beginning of Meteorological Winter. This seasonal shift brings clear skies and a cool, comfortable day across Alabama. Expect highs ranging from the lower 50s in North Alabama to near 60 along and south of the U.S. Highway 80 corridor. Enjoy the sunshine and the tranquil weather as we transition into Meteorological Winter.

WELCOME TO DECEMBER: As we enter December, Birmingham embraces the heart of its transitional weather patterns, marking the second-coldest month of the year. Daytime highs typically range from 60ºF at the start of the month to 55ºF by month’s end, while lows dip from 40ºF to 36ºF. Extremes are not uncommon, with Birmingham experiencing a record low of 1ºF on December 23, 1989, and an unseasonably warm 80ºF on December 7, 1951. December brings an average of 4.87 inches of rainfall, making it the seventh-wettest month, with precipitation recorded about 10 days during the month. Snowfall is rare but possible, with an average of 0.2 inches in December, though historic events like the 8-inch snowfall on New Year’s Eve in 1963 stand out in memory. The month also lies within Birmingham’s primary tornado season, with an average of two tornadoes annually and a history of deadly outbreaks, such as the Christmas Day tornadoes of 2012. December’s diverse weather highlights the importance of staying weather-aware and prepared for a wide range of conditions.

A COLD NIGHT AHEAD
As the sun sets Sunday evening, expect mostly clear skies with a light northwest breeze. Temperatures will drop rapidly overnight, leading to another widespread freeze. Lows will range from the mid-20s in the northeast and higher elevations to near 30 in portions of the southeast. Take precautions to protect sensitive plants and pets.

MONDAY BRINGS A FRESH BLAST OF COLD AIR
The workweek starts with sunny skies, but a reinforcing shot of cold air will keep highs limited to the upper 40s in North Alabama and the mid-50s farther south. Monday night will be particularly frigid, with lows dipping into the mid-20s statewide. If you’re out and about early Tuesday morning, bundle up—it’ll feel like the heart of winter.

TUESDAY: THE COLDEST DAY OF THE WEEK
Tuesday’s highs will struggle to reach the mid-40s in most locations, with a continuation of the dry weather pattern. Expect another hard freeze Tuesday night, with temperatures in the mid-20s once again. While cold, the sunny skies will make for picturesque conditions across the state.

MIDWEEK WARM-UP BEGINS
Wednesday brings a subtle warming trend as upper-level winds shift to the west and west-northwest. Highs will climb into the mid-50s, providing some relief from the early-week chill. However, clouds will start to increase by evening as a disturbance approaches from the west.

SHOWERS RETURN THURSDAY
Rain makes a modest return Thursday, with scattered showers expected across the area. The highest rain chances will be in central and southern Alabama, but even there, rainfall amounts are expected to remain light. Highs will hover in the mid-50s, while overnight lows fall into the upper 30s.

ENDING THE WEEK WITH MORE CLOUDS AND SPOTTY SHOWERS
Friday will see mostly cloudy skies and isolated showers as the aforementioned disturbance lingers. Highs will range from the lower 50s in the north to the mid-50s in the south. Once again, rain totals will be unimpressive, but the increased cloud cover will keep the days feeling cooler.

FIRE WEATHER OUTLOOK
With dry conditions persisting into midweek and afternoon relative humidity values dropping to near 30%, outdoor burning is discouraged. Winds will remain light, but the lack of rainfall means elevated fire danger, especially in northern and central Alabama.

BEACHCAST: Sunny skies and pleasant conditions will greet beachgoers along the beautiful Alabama and Northwest Florida coasts on Sunday, with highs in the lower 60s and gentle north winds around 5 mph. Surf heights will be around 1 foot, and water temperatures remain in the mid-60s—perfect for a peaceful day by the shore. Clear skies and cool temperatures continue Sunday night, with lows dipping into the lower 40s. The workweek brings more sunshine, calm surf, and slightly warmer highs reaching the mid-60s by Wednesday. Rip current risks will remain low, but as always, caution is advised near piers and jetties. Enjoy the tranquil beaches this week!

Click here to see the Beach Forecast Center page.

BUH BYE HURRICANE SEASON: The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season was hyperactive and devastating, but less than the seasonal forecasts, with 18 named storms, five major hurricanes, and record-setting intensity. Florida faced three hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—within three months, causing widespread destruction, flooding, and loss of life. Helene devastated Tampa Bay and western North Carolina, while Milton intensified rapidly, bringing extreme winds, rain, and a deadly tornado outbreak. Beryl set records as the earliest Category 5 hurricane, and the season saw unusual storms like micro-sized Oscar and late-season Rafael. The relatively low number to the forecasts was because of an eerie lull in activity during the normal peak of hurricane season in early September. The human and economic toll was immense, with hundreds of deaths and over $50 billion in damages, highlighting the urgent need for resilience and preparedness.

DANCING WITH THE STATS: I am on my way to Topeka KS today. The Kansas capital picked up 3.3 inches of snow yesterday from a little Alberta Clipper system. It was enough to establish a record for the date.

WEATHERBRAINS: We will be talking about the National Weather Service’s Buddy System with Friend of the Podcast Tim Brice, Marissa Pazos, and Laura Belanger. It’s a program that connects new hires with established personnel to help retention. Check out the show at www.WeatherBrains.com. You can also subscribe on iTunes. You can watch the show live on our new YouTube channel for the show and you can see the live show on the James Spann 24×7 weather channel on cable or directly over the air on the dot 2 feed.

ON THIS DATE IN 1988: You’ve heard of the Rose Bowl. The Orange Bowl. The Sugar Bowl. But the Hurricane Bowl? The University of Alabama had been scheduled to play Texas A&M in College Station, Texas in September, but Hurricane Gilbert caused the game to be postponed when Crimson Tide coach Bill Curry refused to send his team to Texas. The hurricane went into Mexico and ESPN cameras the next day at game time showed brilliantly blue skies and fine weather at scheduled kickoff time. When the game was replayed on December 1st, the Crimson Tide destroyed the much-heralded Aggies 30-10.Follow my weather history tweets on Twitter. I am @wxhistorian at Twitter.com.

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