James Spann: Alabama faces another freeze tonight; warming trend ahead

SUNNY, COLD DAY: Despite sunshine in full force, temperatures are 15-20 degrees below average across Alabama this afternoon. We have upper 30s across the Tennessee Valley, and 40s for the rest of the state.

Another freeze is likely late tonight with a clear sky and light wind … most places will drop into the 20s tomorrow morning.

Dry weather continues tomorrow and Thursday with a warming trend. South Alabama will be in the 60s by Thursday afternoon, with upper 50s for the northern counties. Clouds will increase Thursday night ahead of the next disturbance that will bring showers to the state as early as Friday.

Periods of rain are likely Friday night, then showers will taper off during the day Saturday as the wave axis moves east of the state. Rain amounts with this feature will be around 1/2 inch for the northern counties, and generally 1/4 inch or less for South Alabama. Afternoon highs will be mostly in the upper 50s and low 60s Friday and Saturday.

Sunday will be a very pleasant day; with ample sunshine highs will be in the 58–65-degree range after a morning low in the 30s and 40s.

NEXT WEEK: Most of next week will be dry with pleasant afternoons; global models suggest rain will return by Friday. Afternoon highs will be mostly in the 60s, and we see no sign of any winter mischief (snow or ice) for the Deep South for at least the next 7-10 days. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

ROSE BOWL: Alabama will take on Indiana in the Rose Bowl Thursday (3 p.m. kickoff in Pasadena, California). High resolution models suggest rain will be most widespread in the Los Angeles area Thursday morning, with just a few spotty showers during the game Thursday afternoon. We expect upper 50s at kickoff, low 60s by the final whistle.

Rain is likely for the Tournament of Roses Parade Thursday morning in Pasadena along Colorado Boulevard. Possibly some lightning/thunder.

ON THIS DATE IN 1973: For the second day in a row, Fort Rucker was hit by a tornado. The first time occurred at 4:25 p.m. on December 29, 1973. It “skipped” east-northeast from Enterprise to Ft. Rucker. Most of the damage was in Enterprise. Eight homes were destroyed here. Several residences at Ft. Rucker had light damage. A tank storage park was hit. The rating was F3. Estimated damage of $10-15,000 at Ft. Rucker.

The second tornado which occurred just before 5 p.m. on December 30, 1973, and caused greater damage to Ft. Rucker than the one the day before. Damage exceeded $1 million. There was significant damage to 30 buildings and houses. Five were completely destroyed. Four mobile homes were destroyed at Ozark. There were 23 minor injuries at Ft. Rucker.

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