Drew McCombs: Alabama’s warm weather continues through the weekend
ALABAMA YESTERDAY
After a foggy morning, Christmas Day was warm, with mostly cloudy skies to the north and clearer skies to the south. Highs were in the low 70s north, and mid to upper 70s in central and south Alabama.
ALABAMA THIS MORNING
Fog has returned in central and south Alabama. A Dense Fog Advisory is in place from now until 10 a.m. Travelers are urged to use caution on the roads this morning. Drizzle falls in north Alabama. Temperatures right now range from the lower 50s in the east to mid to upper 50s and low 60s in the west.
The Skywatchers are observing temperatures in the mid to upper 50s and a few low 60s.
Join the team! Learn how to become a Spann Skywatcher: https://www.spannskywatchers.com/
ALABAMA 7 DAY FORECAST
Above-average high temperatures continue through the weekend, then a strong cold front brings a frigid air mass and rain to the state Monday. High temperatures will slowly recover through early next week.
CLOUDY BUT STILL WARM FRIDAY
Skies will be cloudier than yesterday, but highs will still climb into the 70s across the entire state. Low 70s are expected north, mid 70s in central Alabama and high 70s in the south.
OVERCAST SKIES AND WARM NIGHT
The clouds will persist overnight, limiting radiational cooling. This will keep low temperatures around the upper 50s and low 60s. Our low temperatures over the next few days are multiple degrees above average, just like our highs have been.
LITTLE TO NO CHANGE SATURDAY
The forecast changes very little from Friday to Saturday. High temperatures climbing into the 70s will not be affected by widespread cloud cover expected throughout the day.
SUNDAY – LAST WARM DAY
High temperatures will reach the 70s one last time on Sunday, and clouds will be stubborn and stick around. If you’ve enjoyed the warm weather this week, enjoy it while you can!
COLD AND RAIN FINALLY RETURNS MONDAY
A strong cold front will enter the northwestern portion of the state early Monday morning. Rain and strong wind gusts will be the main concerns, but no severe weather is expected. The polar air mass will keep high temperatures in the 40s north, but the south will stay in the 60s. Temperatures Monday night will drop into the 20s and 30s, with wind chills making it feel even colder.
BUNDLE UP TUESDAY
Tuesday will be chilly, especially in the morning, as winds may still be strong. Highs will be in the upper 30s north and low 40s south.
SLIGHT WARMING FOR REST OF WEEK
Highs will be slightly warmer after Tuesday, reaching the 40s and 50s Wednesday and Thursday.
RAINFALL RECORD SURPASSED IN CALIFORNIA
In Mt. Shasta City, California, 2.41 inches of rain fell on Christmas. This breaks the record of 2.02 inches set in 1955.
SMALL IMPROVEMENT TO DROUGHT
Drought conditions have shown only slight improvement since last week. The Moderate Drought (D1) category increased by less than 1% because the Severe Drought (D2) category decreased by less than 1%. 63.17% of the state is now under a D1 drought, while 8.27% of it is under D2. 5.69% of Alabama continues to be drought free, and only 2.43% is under extreme drought.
A BREAK FOR CALIFORNIA ON THE HORIZON
Today is the last day of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for California, with the Weather Prediction Center placing southern California under a Slight Risk (2/4) for Excessive Rainfall today. The threat of flash flooding and strong winds continues, meaning vigilance is still necessary. Dry conditions are expected over the weekend, giving communities the chance to begin recovery.
POST CHRISTMAS CLIPPER SYSTEM IN NORTHEAST
A clipper system (explained in this Alabama Weather Network blog post) will bring multiple winter weather impacts to the Northeast today and tomorrow. Light to moderate snow will fall in the upper Great Lakes through tonight. Areas around or north of upstate New York, and the Tri-State area will receive 4-8 inches of snow tonight. Further south, up to a quarter of an inch of freezing rain will impact areas such as lower Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore. This will lead to dangerous road conditions as ice will form on the roads and sidewalks.
RECORD-BREAKING WARMTH SOUTH
From Texas all the way to the Carolinas, millions are experiencing an incredibly warm holiday week. Multiple high temperature records have already been broken, and more are expected to be challenged through the weekend.
NATIONAL HIGH AND LOW
The national high was recorded in Dunlap, Texas, yesterday at 88 degrees, while the national low was recorded in Houlton, Maine, at –3 degrees.
GOOD BEACH CONDITIONS CONTINUE
Calm waters and warm high temperatures spell out a nice Friday beach day. The rip current risk remains low through the weekend. High temperatures will be in the low 70s. Skies will be mostly cloudy until the afternoon, then the UV Index will be moderate. This weekend marks the final days of 2025, featuring unusually nice weather.
TODAY IN WEATHER HISTORY
December 26, 1947 – Great Blizzard of 1947
On December 26, 1947, New York City was hit by one of the most extraordinary snowstorms in its history — later remembered as the Great Blizzard of 1947 or the city’s infamous “Big Snow.” Light snow began shortly after 5:30 a.m., but by mid-morning the storm had exploded in intensity. Snowfall rates peaked at an astonishing six inches per hour between 2 and 3 p.m., and heavy snow continued through the night until ending around 4 a.m. on December 27. Central Park measured 26.4 inches, the city’s third-largest 24-hour snowfall on record, while suburbs reported more than 30 inches, including 32-inch totals and 19 inches in just six hours at White Plains. Although winds remained light — preventing the storm from meeting blizzard criteria — the sheer volume of snow brought the region to a standstill. Twenty-seven people lost their lives, streets were buried under drifts up to five feet, and the city faced the monumental task of removing an estimated 10 million tons of snow, a cleanup effort that cost more than $8 million. The event remains one of the most disruptive and memorable winter storms ever to strike the Northeast.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Our Gulf Shores Regions cam caught the hint of a “fog bow”, a rainbow in the fog. It is on the right-hand side of the picture. Very cool phenomenon!
For more weather news and information from Drew McCombs and the rest of the James Spann team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.