Warm, Then Cold; Lots Of Rain

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CRAZY ALABAMA WEATHER: As discussed here in recent days, it will be quite a wild roller coaster ride for Alabama over the next 7 days with sharp and frequent weather changes. Take some time to watch the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and more details.

TONIGHT/TOMORROW: Warm is the word. We have reached the low 70s this afternoon, and we expect mid 70s tomorrow, very close to record levels for December 5 (the record high for tomorrow in Birmingham is 79 set in 1998). Any showers tonight should be isolated, and mainly over South Alabama. We do expect an increase in the number of showers and thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night ahead of the Arctic front.

STRONG STORMS? Anytime you have mid 70s in December, you have to be aware of any severe weather potential. SPC does not have any risk defined for tomorrow, just low end 5 percent severe weather possibilities over North Alabama. The 12Z model runs are a little more aggressive with instability and bulk shear, but the wind fields and lapse rates continue to look rather marginal for severe storms. But, we will keep an eye on radar trends.

FALLING TEMPERATURES FRIDAY: I would easily see midday temperatures varying 50 degrees across Alabama; low 30s around Florence, and low 80s around Montgomery. The cold air will seep southward during the day, and for Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Anniston, and Gadsden, I figure temperatures will fall from near 70 degrees late in the morning, into the 40s by mid-afternoon. Muscle Shoals and the northwest corner of the state will stay in the 30s. The sky will be cloudy and a soaking rain is likely much of the day, into Friday night.

ICY MESS TO THE WEST: A nasty ice storm will unfold Friday from Dallas to Little Rock to Memphis and to Louisville. Travel will become very difficult in these regions, and some power outages are possible due to ice accumulation. Travelers beware.

FRIDAY NIGHT ICE? I still think there is a risk of freezing rain Friday night and very early Saturday west of a line from Vernon to Haleyville to Moulton to Madison.

This is where rain will fall with temperatures in the 28-32 degree range; this could lead to icing on bridges and overpasses and hazardous travel. For the rest of the state, a cold rain is likely Friday night.

SATURDAY: Saturday will be a cloudy and cold day, with a chance of some light rain at times. The north/central part of the state won’t get out of the 40s, and the northwest corner of Alabama could hover in the 30s all day. The rain on Saturday won’t be continuous, and the most likely place for rain will be along and south of I-20.

SUNDAY: A nose of warmer air will push northward, and rain is likely during the day as that warm front makes the move. Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Anniston could reach 60 degrees, but Northwest Alabama will most likely stay in the 40s. I figure East and Northeast Alabama could hold in the 40s as well due to cold air damming (the wedge). Bottom line is that the day will be wet with temperatures all over the board.

NEXT WEEK: Rain ends Monday, and very cold air drops southward Monday night. A few snow flurries are possible Monday night, followed by a frigid day Tuesday. I don’t think we get out of the 30s Tuesday with a gusty north wind, and by early Wednesday lows in the 17-22 degree range are likely.

SUPER SIX FOOTBALL WEATHER FOR TUSCALOOSA: Tomorrow will be warm; Tuscaloosa could reach the upper 70s tomorrow afternoon. Developing showers and thunderstorms are likely tomorrow afternoon, continuing tomorrow night. The rain won’t be continuous, but it could be occasionally heavy, and lightning is a very real possibility. Thankfully we don’t expect any severe weather, although a strong storm is possible. Temperatures will fall into the upper 60s tomorrow evening, and the humidity levels will be high.

For the games Friday afternoon and Friday night, the weather will be cold and wet. Temperatures will fall into the 40s Friday afternoon, possibly reaching the upper 30s Friday evening. The sky will be cloudy with rain likely.

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: We can promise 72 degrees during the game with no rain and no wind since it is inside the Georgia Dome. For fans headed to Atlanta, Saturday will be cloudy and cool with periods of light rain; the high will be near 50 degrees.

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Tags: warm

Category: Alabama's Weather