Midday Nowcast: Mild Start to the Week, Midweek Rain, then Much Colder Weekend

MILD THROUGH WEDNESDAY: More clouds than sunshine and above average temperatures highlight the forecast through midweek across Alabama with afternoon highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Most of Alabama will be dry today, but some showers will move into North Alabama tonight and some showers are possible tomorrow over the northern half of the state. On Wednesday rain will be likely statewide ahead of a cold front. A few storms are possible as well, but severe storms are not expected with this system. Rain amounts will be light, under one-half inch for most of the state.

BIRMINGHAM ALMANAC: For December 16th, the average high for Birmingham is 57° and the average low is 38°. The record high is 76° set in 1924, while the record low is 8° set in 1901. We average 0.16” of precipitation on this date, and the record value is 2.27” set in 1932.

ACROSS THE USA: A modest atmospheric river will continue to bring unsettled weather to the Northwest U.S. through at least midweek including heavy rains for the coastal ranges and accumulating snow for the higher elevations. Over the eastern U.S., periods of light to moderate rainfall will continue from the Mid-Atlantic southward with some mixed wintry precipitation over the Northeast U.S. over the next few days.

COOLER THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Behind the front, a cooler, drier air mass returns to the Alabama for Thursday and Friday. Expect sunshine in full supply with highs in the mid to upper 50s, while lows will begin the mid 30. These temperatures will be right seasonal average for mid-December.

COLD WEEKEND WEATHER: Much Colder air arrives over the weekend as highs drop into the 40s, lows in the 20s for most of Alabama. This air mass will be very dry, so no precipitation is in the forecast. Both Saturday and Sunday will feature abundant sunshine, but despite the sunshine, it will remain cold.

CHRISTMAS WEEK: The weekend cold will be short-lived as we forecasting a warming trend for the first half of next year week. By Christmas Day (Wednesday December 25) highs will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s across Alabama and temperatures reach the 60s statewide by the end of the week. As far as rain chances, the models are struggling with next week. Expect change in the forecast in the coming days, but it looks like we could be seeing some rain for Christmas Day, but again, stay tuned to future forecasts.

WORLD TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation outside the U.S. was 116.8F at Walpeup Research, Australia. The lowest observation was -56.4F at Summit, Greenland.

CONTIGUOUS TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation was 88F at Faith Ranch, TX. The lowest observation was -8F at Gunnison, CO.

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