James Spann: Some rain tonight in Alabama; cold, mostly dry weekend ahead

COLD START: Temperatures are well below freezing across Alabama early this morning. Here are some of the colder spots just before daybreak…

Gadsden 17
Scottsboro 19
Pell City 19
Talladega 19
Eufaula 20
Chelsea 20
Sylacauga 21
Troy 21
Evergreen 22

Expect a nice warm-up today; with a partly sunny sky highs will be generally in the 50s today; some South Alabama communities could reach the low 60s.

A cold front will pass through the state tonight with a band of light rain showers; tomorrow will be dry and a bit colder. With a mix of sun and clouds highs will be in the 40s and 50s.

SUNDAY: A weak wave of low pressure will form on the Arctic front in the Northeast Gulf late tomorrow night. This has potential to spread a little light rain into the southeast corner of the state Sunday morning. As cold air drops south, there is a brief window when the rain could change to light snow or flurries, but the chance of meaningful accumulation or impact remains low. As we expected, the American global model (GFS) has come around to agree with the European model, and both are in very good agreement.

For most of Alabama Sunday will simply be cold and dry with highs in the 30s over the northern half of the state; 40s to the south.

NEXT WEEK: The first half of the week will be cold and dry. Coldest morning will be early Tuesday with most of North Alabama will dip into the upper teens. A warming trend begins Wednesday afternoon, and global models suggest rain will return to the state Thursday. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 2018: A winter storm brought snow to much of Alabama; amounts of 2-4 inches were common along the I-85 corridor from Montgomery to Opelika.

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