James Spann: Scattered light rain in Alabama tomorrow; Thursday much colder

NICE WARM-UP TODAY: This morning we have freezing temperatures all the way down to the Gulf Coast, but we warm up nicely today with low 60s by afternoon over the southern counties; 50s elsewhere. The air remains dry, and the sky will be partly to mostly sunny.

Clouds move in tonight ahead of a cold front that will bring the chance of some scattered light rain to the state tomorrow. Moisture will be limited, and rain amounts will be generally one-tenth of an inch or less. Highs tomorrow will be in the 50s, but temperatures could begin to fall over the Tennessee Valley by afternoon as a new surge of cold air arrives behind the front.

Thursday will be mostly sunny, but breezy and much colder. Highs only in the 30s over the northern half of the state, with 40s to the south. A freeze is likely statewide by Friday morning with lows mostly in the 20s. Then, we warm into the low to mid 50s by Friday afternoon.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Another cold front will roll through late Friday night. Nothing more than few sprinkles or flurries … then another shot of cold air arrives over the weekend. Expect highs in the 30s and 40s, with lows mostly in the 20s Sunday morning. Expect a mix of sun and clouds Saturday, and a most sunny sky Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: The weather stays cold and dry for the first half of the week; global models suggest the next chance of rain comes Thursday as a warming trend begins … highs will be in the 60s statewide by Friday.

ON THIS DATE IN 1973: An F2 tornado moved through parts of the city of Birmingham. The tornado touched down at intersection of 19th Street and 10th Avenue South. A portion of a roof was ripped off an office building and a roof-mounted air conditioner was hurled northward against an adjacent parking deck. A roof-mounted walking track was ripped off the YMCA building and several windows were broken. Flying debris injured one boy at the YMCA, but hospitalization was not required. Several other buildings had windows blown out.

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