Rain, Wind Sunday/Sunday Night, Then Much Colder
SUNNY, COOL AFTERNOON: Temperatures are mostly in the 50s across Alabama this afternoon with a sunny sky. Tonight will be clear with a low in the 24-34 degree range for most of Alabama.
Tomorrow will be a bit colder; temperatures won’t get out of the 40s over the northern half of the state after starting the day in the 20s.
STORM NUMBER ONE: Clouds will increase tomorrow night, and Sunday will be a cloudy, windy day with rain moving in ahead of a storm system. As the precipitation begins early Sunday there could be a brief period of freezing rain (liquid precipitation falling with surface temperatures at or below 32 degrees) over the northern quarter of the state. This might mean a few patches of ice on bridges, but widespread travel impact is not expected as temperatures will warm quickly into the 40s and 50s with a strong south wind.
SPC has defined a risk of severe thunderstorms mainly west of Alabama over MS/LA/AR Sunday, but the threat of severe storms in Alabama looks fairly low at this point as the cold front moves through Sunday night due to the lack of surface based instability. A “marginal risk” (level 1/5) is defined for Southwest Alabama, where the air will be somewhat unstable.
Gradient winds (not related to thunderstorms) could gust to 30/40 mph in spots late Sunday and Sunday night.
NEXT WEEK: Rain ends very early Monday; the day will be windy and much colder with temperatures holding in the 30s over the northern half of the state. The wind chill index will remain below freezing for much of the state, and a few scattered light snow flurries are possible over the northern counties. The weather looks dry but very cold Tuesday through Thursday with highs in the 30s for the northern 2/3 of Alabama… lows will be in the 16-26 degree range for most places. Freezing temperatures are likely down to the Gulf Coast.
STORM NUMBER TWO: Global models continue to show signals of a surface wave/low forming over the northern Gulf of Mexico late in the week on Friday. With cold air in place, this opens the door for some potential for “wintry precipitation” across parts of the Deep South Friday or Friday night (January 10). Some ensemble members suggest there could be some potential for snow, sleet, or freezing rain across parts of Alabama, but there is no skill in a specific forecast at this point. We simply don’t know who gets snow, how much will accumulate (if any at all), or if there will be any impact (societal or travel).
We won’t have real clarity until “storm number one” gets out of here Sunday night/Monday. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1949: During the late afternoon hours, an estimated F4 tornado destroyed Warren, Arkansas. The tornado killed 55 people and injured more than 250 others. The destruction of the Bradley mill displaced 1,000 employees.
ON THIS DATE IN 2023: A long-duration severe weather event occurred from the late morning hours of Tuesday, January 3rd to the early
morning hours of Wednesday, January 4th. Several rounds of rain and thunderstorms impacted Central Alabama, producing a total of 14 tornadoes, along with damaging straight-line winds, quarter size hail, and flooding. Most of the tornadoes were rated EF-0 or EF-1; there was one rated EF-2 at Lake Jordan just north of Holtville/Slapout.
Look for my next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. Monday. Enjoy the weekend!
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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