Drew McCombs: Alabama will see warmer weather on this Christmas Eve eve
ALABAMA YESTERDAY
Statewide cloud cover persisted yesterday, with highs ranging from the upper 50s to low 60s in north Alabama, mid 60s in central areas, and upper 60s to low 70s in the south. Morning showers in the southwest diminished by noon and a few sprinkles fell across north-central Alabama, producing no measurable rainfall.
Skywatcher Daniel Harbin sent a few pictures of a beautiful sunrise with crepuscular rays from Hampton Cove yesterday.
ALABAMA THIS MORNING
Cloudy skies linger this morning, with clearer conditions in southwest Alabama. Temperatures range from mid to upper 50s across the state, warmer than originally expected.
Our Alabaster cam and our Fairhope cams show the contrast between the cloudier conditions for most of the state and clear skies in the southwest.
The Skywatchers are sending reports of temperatures mostly in the 50s, with a few upper 40s sneaking in.
Join the team! Learn how to become a Spann Skywatcher: https://www.spannskywatchers.com/
ALABAMA 7 DAY FORECAST
High pressure settles into the Deep South, causing high temperatures to rise gradually throughout the week. Rain chances drop to zero after today and remain absent throughout the holiday period. The only impactful weather expected is overnight and morning fog in south Alabama until Saturday.
CLOUDS PERSIST TODAY
Statewide cloud cover will continue through the morning before the southern half of the state clears in the afternoon. Southwesterly flow pulls in warmer Gulf air, pushing highs into the upper 60s and low 70s north and the mid 70s across central and south Alabama. A few sprinkles are possible in north Alabama, but rainfall amounts will be negligible.
WARM AND CLOUDY/FOGGY NIGHT
Clouds will begin to envelop the entire state overnight, and fog is expected to develop in the south through tomorrow morning. It could be dense, so exercise caution while driving. Lows dip into the lower 50s centrally, and mid 50s in the north and south.
WARM CHRISTMAS EVE
Some cloud cover will do little to inhibit high temperatures soaring into the 70s across the entire state Wednesday. If you plan to wear a sweater to your Christmas Eve plans, consider swapping it for something short-sleeved.
NO WHITE CHRISTMAS IN SIGHT
Highs climb further into the 70s on Christmas Day as cloud cover decreases. No precipitation is expected, whether rain or snow.
SLIGHT FRIDAY COOL DOWN
Highs will only reach into the upper 60s to low 70s, maybe even lower on Friday.
CHANGES AT THE END OF THE WEEKEND
High temperatures will be similar or slightly warmer Saturday before a strong cold front moves through the state Sunday morning. Highs will reach the 60s and low 70s, before the colder air moves in. Low temperatures are expected to fall into the 20s north through the 40s south.
COLD RETURNS NEXT WEEK
The cold air will bring high temperatures to the upper 30s north and 40s south. If you like the warm weather, enjoy it while it lasts!
MORE HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN
A few record high temperatures were broken across Texas yesterday. Laredo hit a high of 86 degrees, surpassing the 1970 record of 85. At the Houston/Hobby airport, the record of 82 degrees, also set in 1970, was broken by a high of 83.
SNOW FOR NORTHEAST AND RAIN FOR MID-ATLANTIC
An eastward-moving system brings moderate to heavy snow to the Northeast through Wednesday morning. It will produce rain in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic this afternoon as well. Another disturbance will bring more rain to the Mid-Atlantic Christmas morning. A cold front originating in Canada will produce light snow in the Northeast on Christmas morning, too.
ATMOSPHERIC RIVER CONTINUES TO TORMENT WEST COAST
A persistent atmospheric river will bring more heavy rain to the California coast through the next few days. Portions of north and south California are under a Slight Risk (2/4) for Excessive Rainfall today, issued by the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). Flash flooding in urban areas, roads, streams, and burn scars is the main concern today.
The moisture will continue to funnel into the state Wednesday, especially in southern California. Most of the state is under some risk for Excessive Rainfall, with parts of southern California under a High Risk (4/4) and surrounding areas under a Moderate Risk (3/4). Northern California continues under a Slight or Marginal (1/4) Risk. The WPC used strong wording in its discussion, saying “Severe, widespread flash flooding is expected … areas that normally do not experience flash flooding will flood … lives and property are in great danger …” These impacts are expected Wednesday through Thursday morning. The graphic below shows the WPC Outlook for Excessive Rainfall for Wednesday.
SNOW FOR HIGH ELEVATIONS IN THE WEST
The moisture will cause heavy snow to fall in the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Central Rockies through Thursday.
NATIONAL HIGH AND LOW
Hidalgo, Texas, again hit the national high temperature, reaching 90 degrees yesterday. The low in Mount Washington, New Hampshire, plummeted to –13 degrees.
SUNNY AND WARM BEACH DAY
It will be a beautiful day to visit the beach as highs will be in the low 70s, winds will be around 5 mph, and the UV Index will be moderate due to mostly sunny skies. The water will be a little rough, with a Moderate rip current risk and surf height around 2 feet. If you don’t get a chance to visit today, the rest of the week looks great too!
TODAY IN WEATHER HISTORY
December 23, 1989- The Christmas Coastal Snowstorm
On December 23, 1989, a rapidly intensifying coastal storm unleashed one of the most extraordinary winter events in Southeastern U.S. history. Snow began late on the 22nd and continued into the 24th as the system deepened offshore, driving 60 mph winds and generating waves up to 34 feet that ran the tanker Benjamin Isherwood aground near Corolla. Wilmington recorded 15 inches of snow and Cape Hatteras 13.3 inches—both all-time records—while drifts piled 4 to 8 feet high and coastal towns were paralyzed. The storm produced the first White Christmas on record from northeastern Florida to North Carolina, with snow falling as far south as Tampa and Daytona Beach in the most widespread Florida snowstorm ever documented. Significant crop damage, power outages, and several traffic-related fatalities occurred across the region as the historic storm and subsequent Arctic cold settled in for the holiday.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
This image is from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in California, posted on Facebook on Sunday. Their caption read “The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Swiftwater Rescue Team is actively assisting flooded residences in the Freshwater area. If you are unable to safely shelter in place and are experiencing a life safety emergency, please call 911. Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways or moving water on foot or in a vehicle. The water is extremely swift and cold and can quickly become overwhelming and life threatening.” California received a lot of life-threatening and property-damaging rainfall this past weekend and is gearing up to receive more through the week.
For more weather news and information from Drew McCombs and the rest of the James Spann team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.