Sunday Afternoon Weather Briefing Video: Christmas System Slows Down, Wedge for the End of the Week?

SUNNY AND COLD START TO THE WEEK

High pressure centered across the Eastern Great Lakes has brought clear skies and cool temperatures to North and Central Alabama today. Afternoon highs will range from the upper 40s in the higher elevations of the northeast to the mid-50s along and south of the U.S. Highway 80 corridor. Winds from the northeast at 5-10 mph will keep the air feeling crisp, but the sunshine will make for a pleasant end to the weekend.

Tonight, expect another widespread freeze as clear skies and calm winds allow temperatures to plummet. Lows will range from the mid-20s in the northeast to near 30 degrees across central and southern areas. Winds will shift to the east overnight, but speeds will remain light at 3-5 mph, maintaining excellent radiational cooling conditions.

A GRADUAL WARM-UP INTO CHRISTMAS EVE

Monday will feature slightly warmer temperatures as a more zonal flow aloft becomes established. High pressure will shift offshore of New England, maintaining dry conditions across the region. Highs will reach the lower 50s in the northeast to near 60 degrees in the southwest. Winds will be out of the southeast at 5-10 mph, with a few high clouds moving in late in the day as a weak inverted trough develops near the Georgia coast.

Tuesday is Christmas Eve, and the weather will cooperate for any last-minute holiday preparations. Temperatures will warm into the upper 50s to near 60 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Winds from the southeast will continue to transport slightly warmer air into the region. Clouds will begin to increase Tuesday evening as moisture returns ahead of a weak mid-level trough moving into the region, but rain chances will hold off until late in the night.

SHOWERS POSSIBLE ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Day on Wednesday will be mild but could bring some wet weather for portions of the area. A mid-level trough moving through the Lower Mississippi Valley will bring a chance for scattered showers, particularly during the afternoon. Rain chances will increase to around 40%, though rainfall amounts are expected to remain light. Highs will range from the upper 50s in the northeast to the lower 60s across central and southern Alabama. While it won’t be a washout, keep an umbrella handy if you have plans to be out and about on Christmas.

WATCHING THE WEEKEND WEDGE

The weather pattern becomes more dynamic later in the week as a series of troughs move through the region. While most systems will be relatively weak, an easterly wedge could develop on Friday, bringing cooler temperatures and additional cloud cover east of I-65. Highs may struggle to reach the 50s in areas like Anniston and Gadsden, while Birmingham and areas near I-65 could see highs in the lower 60s. Areas west of I-65 will remain warmer, with highs in the mid to upper 60s.

The weekend holds the potential for a more robust system, with increased moisture and lift potentially leading to thunderstorms. It’s too early to determine the severity, but this setup will be monitored closely as the forecast evolves. Temperatures will remain above seasonal averages through the weekend, providing a mild close to the holiday week.

Stay tuned for updates as we refine the forecast for Christmas Day and beyond!

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS