Midday Nowcast: Rain and Storms, Increased Risk of Severe Weather this Afternoon

WET AND STORMY: An approaching upper trough and cold front is bringing widespread rain and storms today. The rainfall is heavy and a few strong and severe thunderstorms are possible as well. The SPC has increased the risk of severe weather for portions of Alabama to a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms this afternoon for Central and South Alabama.

Stronger storms today could produce strong gusty winds and possibly some small hail. A brief, isolated tornado is possible as well, and we may see a Tornado Watch issued for portions of Alabama in the coming hours. Rain amounts will vary greatly across the state, with totals near half an inch for the northern counties, while 1-3 inches are possible for the central and southern portions of the state. Today will be the warmest day of the week as we are seeing temperatures in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Tonight, we turn noticeably colder with the rain ending, we will lows in the mid and upper 30s.

BIRMINGHAM ALMANAC: For December 10th, the average high for Birmingham is 58° and the average low is 39°. The record high is 79° set in 2007, while the record low is 13° set in 1995. We average 0.16” of precipitation on this date, and the record value is 1.85” set in 2008.

COLDER WEATHER: Tomorrow will be a breezy and cold day with a clearing sky. Temperatures will be in the 40s and with the wind, it will feel much colder. By Thursday morning a freeze is expected with upper 20s likely. Thursday and Friday will be dry with afternoon highs in the 50s.

WEEKEND WEATHER: Clouds return to the state and we can’t rule out the chance of a few isolated showers at times this weekend, but the model are trending drier, so any rain will be light and spotty. Rainfall totals will be less than half an inch where it falls. Temperatures this weekend will be near seasonal average with upper 50s and lower 60s, while lows will be in the 40s.

NEXT WEEK: Highs will be mostly in the low to mid 60s through the week; which is a little above average for mid-December in Alabama. Nighttime temperatures will be above freezing, and a decent part of the week will be dry.

WORLD TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation outside the U.S. was 113.5F at Vioolsdrif, South Africa. The lowest observation was -57.1F at Suhana, Russia.

CONTIGUOUS TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation was 91F at Hidalgo, TX. The lowest observation was -13F at Peter Sinks, UT.

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