Slow Warm-Up Begins Later Today

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COLDEST SO FAR: Here are some 5:00 a.m. reports across Alabama… (thanks to our Skywatchers for many of these reports)

Valley Head 12
Remlap 13
Haleyville 14
Cottondale 14
Collinsville 14
Concord 15
Alabaster 16
Southside 16
Fayette 16
Center Point 17
Pleasant Grove 19
Birmingham Airport 19

The last time Birmingham was “officially” in the teens (based on data from the airport) was back on January 13 when the low was 17.

We warm into the low to mid 40s today with a good supply of sunshine. The warming trend continues tomorrow with a high in the mid 50s. Break out the tank tops and flip flops…

WEEKEND CHANGES: Clouds return to our state tomorrow night, and rain will move in during the day Saturday. The latest guidance still hints the best chance of rain will come from about 2:00 p.m. Saturday until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, with amounts of 1/2 inch likely. Some spots could see a little more, and we might even hear thunder in a few spots.

SNOW ON SUNDAY? The models have clearly backed off on the idea of snow showers Sunday. The GFS, ECMWF, and NAM show a weaker surface low farther north, and if this trend keeps up we will remove the good chance of snow showers on Sunday that is in our ongoing forecast. One way or another, Sunday will be sharply colder with a strong northwest wind and temperatures falling into the 30s.

NEXT WEEK: Very cold weather is the story on Monday. We will have a hard time getting above freezing, and the coldest morning should come early Tuesday when most places will be in the 14 to 19 degree range (much like this morning). A slow warming trend begins Tuesday afternoon. The GFS continues the idea of a little scattered light rain breaking out across Alabama by Wednesday and Thursday.

HEADING TOWARD CHRISTMAS: Watch the Weather Xtreme video… the 06Z operational GFS shows another cold air shot around December 19-20. The NAO remains strongly negative, and it sure looks like temperatures will remain below average through late December. We won’t be able to talk specifics about Christmas weather for another week or so.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.

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I will be doing a weather program today at Glencoe Middle School… look for the next Weather Xtreme video by 3:30 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: cold

Category: Alabama's Weather