James Spann: a few sprinkles/flurries Friday; more Arctic air for the weekend
ABOVE FREEZING: Temperatures are above freezing across Alabama of Alabama this afternoon with sunshine in full supply. Temperatures are in the upper 30s over the northern third of the state; 40s to the south. Tonight will be clear and cold, but not as cold as last night. Most communities will be in the 17-27 degree range early tomorrow morning.
The weather stays dry through mid-week with a slow warm-up; highs will be in the 50s across South Alabama on Thursday.
An approaching front along with a disturbance in the northern Gulf will bring clouds into the state Friday. Moisture will be very limited, but a few sprinkles are possible over South Alabama. A few snow flurries are possible across the northern half of the state Friday afternoon/night, but we expect no accumulation or impact. Another shot of very cold, Arctic air will blow into the Deep South Friday night.
VERY COLD WEEKEND: The weekend will be dry, but very cold. Lows Saturday and Sunday morning will be in the 10-18 degree range for most of the state; a few single digits lows are possible early Sunday morning (much like what we are experiencing this morning). Most of the state will stay below freezing all day Saturday; the high will be in the mid 30s near the coast. Sunday’s high will be in the 30s and 40s.
NEXT WEEK: A slow warming trend headlines the forecast for next week; most communities will be in the 50s by Wednesday. A fast-moving disturbance could bring some rain into the state Thursday. Still no sign of any big snow or ice issues for Alabama for the next 7-10 days; See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1940: Alabama was locked in a severe cold wave; the north half of the state was under a heavy blanket of snow. The snow came on the 23rd and 24th. There was more than a foot in parts of North Alabama. One inch fell as far south as Montgomery. Bitter cold followed the snow. Birmingham was covered with 7 inches of snow. There was ice skating on the Black Warrior River at Birmingport with ice on the river four inches thick. The ice was seven inches thick on creeks running into the river. Ice formed on parts of the Tennessee River in North Alabama as well. The Cullman area was very hard hit by the unusually severe winter storm … with 13 inches of snow there the temperature plunged to a bitter 16 below zero. Anniston was buried under an 11-inch blanket of snow.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.