James Spann: Frigid start today; slow warm-up through midweek

DEEP FREEZE: Here are some temperatures across Alabama just before daybreak:

• New Market 9
• Remlap 9
• Gadsden 10
• Haleyville 10
• Fort Payne 10
• Trussville 10
• Bessemer 11
• Springville 11
• Trenton 11
• Scottsboro 12
• Albertville 12
• Cullman 12
• Anniston 12
• Pell City 12
• Hueytown 12
• Birmingham (Oxmoor Valley) 12
• Cottondale 12
• Morris 12
• Huntsville 13
• Decatur 13
• Calera 13
• Anniston 14
• Birmingham 14
• Muscle Shoals 15
• Auburn 16
• Tuscaloosa 17
• Alexander City 17
• Greenville 19
• Eufaula 19
• Mobile 21
• Bay Minette 21
• Dothan 23
• Gulf Shores 25

Today will be sunny with highs mostly in the 40s. The weather stays dry through mid-week with just a slow warm-up; a few low 50s are possible across south Alabama by Thursday.

A weak feature in the northern Gulf could bring a little light rain to the southern half of the state Friday; there might be a few light snow flurries over the northern counties but we expect no accumulation or impact. Highs remain generally in the 40s, but another shot of very cold, Arctic air will blow into the Deep South Friday night. Again, flurries are possible, but no meaningful accumulation.

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 light rain by Thursday or Thursday night. 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 1967: Residents of Chicago began to dig out from the storm of the 26th and 27th, which produced 23 inches of snow in 29 hours, their worse snowstorm. The snow paralyzed the city and suburbs for days, and business losses were enormous.

ON THIS DATE IN 1989: Bitter cold air gripped most of Alaska during January 1989. Tanana, near Fairbanks, saw a low temperature of 76 degrees below zero on this day. The high for the day was 60 degrees below zero. With an average temperature of 68 degrees below zero, Tanana saw an average temperature of nearly sixty degrees below normal.