James Spann: Periods of rain today; much colder air arrives in Alabama tonight/tomorrow

RADAR CHECK: A large area of rain is moving across the southern half of Alabama this morning, and to the north we note showers along cold front moving into Tennessee. We will have rain at times today as the front pushes into Alabama; for most places rain amounts will be a quarter inch or less. Expect a high today in the low to mid 50s.

As cold air rushes into the Deep South tonight behind the front, a few scattered light snow flurries are possible over North Alabama, but we expect no impact or accumulation.

Tomorrow will be sunny, but breezy and cold with highs ranging from the mid 30s across the Tennessee Valley to the low 40s over the southern counties.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Clouds will increase Friday and another cold front will bring some light rain to the state Friday night. Temperatures rise into the 50s Friday afternoon before the front arrives. Then another cold airmass drops into the state for the weekend. Highs will be in the 40s Saturday, and in the 35-45 degree range Sunday.

The weekend will be generally dry, but a weak wave along the front in the northern Gulf could bring a few sprinkles or flurries to South Alabama Saturday night. Again, no accumulation or impact is expected.

NEXT WEEK: The first half of the week will be cold and dry with morning lows mostly in the 20s and highs in the 30s and 40s. A warming trend begins later in the week, and many communities will reach the low 60s by Friday. Global models suggest some rain could arrive late in the week … See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 1972: In Loma, Montana, the temperature soared from 54 degrees below zero to 49 degrees above zero on January 14-15, 1972. The 103-degree change is the greatest ever recorded in the world for a 24-hour period.

ON THIS DATE IN 2016: Hurricane Alex became the first January hurricane in the Atlantic since Hurricane Alice in 1955.

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