James Spann: warmer tomorrow/Saturday; into the deep freeze Sunday
SUNNY, COOL DECEMBER DAY: With a mostly sunny sky, temperatures are generally in the 50s across Alabama this afternoon. Tonight will be clear with a low between 32 and 42 degrees for most spots early tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be warmer; most of Alabama will enjoy a high in the 60s with a partly to mostly sunny sky. Highs remain in the 60s on Saturday, but clouds will increase, and there could be a few spotty showers over the southwest counties. Some scattered light rain is possible statewide Saturday night (mainly over the southern half of the state) ahead of a strong Arctic cold front.
INTO THE DEEP FREEZE: A bitterly cold Arctic airmass will roll into the Deep South Sunday, easily the coldest so far this season. For most of the state, temperatures will fall through the 30s, and the Tennessee Valley will be in the 20s all day. A strong north wind will make it feel colder; wind chill index values will be in the single digits Sunday night over north Alabama.
By daybreak Monday, air temperatures will be in the teens along and north of I-20, with 20s for the rest of the state, including the Gulf Coast. A warming trend begins Monday afternoon with highs in the 37-47 degree range.
REST OF NEXT WEEK: The warm-up continues with highs in the 60s for much of the state by Thursday and Friday. The reliable European global model suggests some rain will be possible by Thursday … see the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
CHRISTMAS? There is no skill in a specific forecast beyond 7-10 days, but there is some skill at pattern recognition, and all global models suggest that temperatures will be above average across the Deep South on Dec. 25 this year.
ON THIS DATE IN 1961: A tornado tore through Jacksonville. There was considerable damage on the JSU campus and in the surrounding community; no fatalities, but some people were trapped in damaged buildings. This tornado was down for about three miles.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.