James Spann: Cold tonight with gradual clearing; brighter Wednesday

CLOUDY, COLD DECEMBER DAY: Clouds are hanging tough over most all of Alabama this afternoon, with temperatures ranging from the mid 30s across the Tennessee Valley to the low and mid 50s across the southeast counties of the state. A few spots across the Tennessee Valley have been seeing light snow flurries in the cold air.

We expect gradual clearing tonight, and by daybreak tomorrow most communities will be in the 20s. A freeze is possible all the way down to the Gulf Coast.

Tomorrow will be a brighter day with a partly to mostly sunny sky; the high will be in the 50s. Clouds will increase tomorrow night, and we are forecasting periods of rain Thursday and Friday. For now it looks like the most widespread rain will come Thursday night into Friday morning, and the heavier rain totals will be over the southern half of the state.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The latest global model data now suggests we will have some rain at times on Saturday, followed by a dry day Sunday. Highs remain in the 50s.

NEXT WEEK: For now most of next week looks dry with highs mostly in the 50s and lows in the 30s.

FOOTBALL: Jacksonville State will host Kennesaw State Friday evening (6 p.m. kickoff) in the C-USA Championship game. The sky will be cloudy with temperatures in the 40s. Some light rain or drizzle is possible.

Troy will travel to play James Madison in the Sunbelt Conference Championship game Friday night (6 p.m. kickoff in Harrisonburg, VA). For those traveling to the game, expect a cloudy, cold night temperatures falling from near 32 at kickoff, into the upper 20s by the final whistle. Some snow is possible in Harrisonburg Friday afternoon before the game.

Alabama takes on Georgia Saturday in Atlanta (3 p.m. kickoff) in the SEC Championship game. The game will be played in a domed stadium, but for the fans walking to and from the game the sky will be cloudy with light rain possible. The high in Atlanta Saturday afternoon will be in the low 50s.

ON THIS DATE IN 1896: An early season snow and ice storm struck the southeastern U.S., with eleven inches of snow falling in Charlotte, NC, and 6 inches at Atlanta. Snow was reported over the southern two-thirds of Alabama.

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