James Spann: Alabama can expect dry days ahead with temperatures near normal for December

SEVERE CLEAR: We have a cloudless sky across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures generally in the 50s. Tonight will be clear with a low in the 34-44 degree range.

The weather will stay dry through the rest of the week with seasonal temperatures. Highs in the 50s for North Alabama; the southern half of the state will rise into the 60s tomorrow, and again on Friday. Morning lows will be mostly in the 30s. A freeze is likely over the northern half of the state early Thursday morning.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A few days ago global models were advertising a surge of bitterly cold air into the Deep South this weekend. They have backed off on that idea, delaying the arrival of the colder air until Sunday night and Monday, and keeping the core of the Arctic air north of Alabama. Saturday will be pleasant with a high in the 58–68-degree range, but Sunday turns colder with afternoons highs ranging from the 40s over North Alabama, to the 50s for the southern counties. At this point the weekend looks dry with only a small risk of some light rain Sunday.

Temperatures drop into the 20s and low 30s across most of the state by Monday morning with a clearing sky, but teens are no longer likely for North Alabama.

NEXT WEEK: For now most of the week looks dry with a gradual warming trend. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 2003: Although it never threatened land, a subtropical storm became Tropical Storm Peter approximately 700 miles WNW of the Cape Verde Islands. Combined with Tropical Storm Odette from earlier in the month, this is the first time since 1887 that two tropical storms formed in the Atlantic Basin in December.

ON THIS DATE IN 2023: A line of severe thunderstorms produced two brief tornadoes in the Birmingham metro during the late-night hours and into the pre-dawn hours of December 10. One EF-1 tore through parts of Homewood with 100 mph winds, another EF-1 moved from near Samford University through parts of Mountain Brook with 90 mph winds.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.