James Spann: Warmer today/tomorrow; bitterly cold air arrives Sunday

NICE WARM-UP TODAY: Temperatures are in the 30s across most of Alabama early this morning, with a few spots at the freezing mark. But expect a very nice warm-up today; most communities will enjoy temperatures in the 60s this afternoon with a good supply of sunshine. Look for similar highs tomorrow, but there will be an increase in clouds, and a few spotty showers are possible during the day over the southwest counties of the state.

Some scattered light rain or drizzle is possible tomorrow night statewide ahead of an Arctic front.

DEEP FREEZE: The coldest air so far this season rolls into the Deep South Sunday. For the northern quarter of Alabama temperatures will hold in the 20s all day, with wind chills reaching the single digits by afternoon into Sunday night. For the central counties, temperatures will fall through the 30s.

South Alabama will reach the 50s Sunday before the Arctic air arrives; temperatures plummet quickly by the afternoon and evening hours.

By Monday morning low temperatures will be in the 10-20 degree range over the northern third of the state … South Alabama will see lows in the 20s, and a freeze is likely to the Gulf Coast.

NEXT WEEK: Monday will be cold and dry, and another freeze is likely Tuesday with lows mostly in the 20s. A warming trend is the story for the latter half of the week, and some rain is likely late Thursday and Thursday night. Looks like rain will be under a half inch with this event.

CHRISTMAS: We continue to see strong signals from global models that a pattern flip will bring above average temperatures to the southern two-thirds of the U.S. For now it looks like highs in the 60s and 70s for Alabama on Christmas Day.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Alabama will travel to Norman to take on Oklahoma in the first round of the college football playoffs one week from tonight (Friday, Dec. 19). At this point the weather looks perfect for football; clear with temperatures falling through the 40s during the game.

ON THIS DATE IN 1962: A bitterly cold airmass was over Alabama. Official lows included:

• 3 degrees in Huntsville
• 4 degrees in Birmingham
• 9 degrees in Montgomery
• 14 degrees in Mobile.

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