I wanted to take a moment just to highlight big changes that will be occurring in Alabama’s weather over the next seven days. We will become rather balmy tomorrow with two threats on severe weather on Tuesday, then go back in the Deep Freeze again into the weekend, with a continued threat of some light wintry precipitation over the weekend.
Let’s go day by day…
MONDAY…
It will be positively balmy today, with readings running 5 degrees or higher than yesterday. Temperatures will top out in the 60s. Moisture levels will be increasing, and so will clouds. Winds will pick up some overnight and there could be a shower. But the main action will come early Tuesday.
TUESDAY…
We will deal with a threat of severe weather as a strong upper trough rotates into Alabama and a surface low approaches Memphis. The trough will become negatively tilted, which is an indication of more significant energy levels. The good news is that the activity will arrive during the morning hours, when instability is at its daily minimum, and the instability is going to be marginal anyway with dewpoints around 55F. But, dynamics will be pretty good, and we have seen lots of these low topped convective situations cause damage, including tornadoes lately. So, while the main threat will be wind and hail, it is a good idea to review your tornado safety plan for early Tuesday.
Check back periodically today to make sure the system does not arrive while you are sleeping Monday night. And set your WeatherRadio just in case.
The first wave will sweep west to east during the morning. There is a chance that the airmass will reload to some degree beore the cold front arrives lat ein the day, and with cold air aloft associated with the trough, thunderstorms that do form could become “hailers.”
It will turn sharply colder Tuesday night with strong northwest winds and a chance for mixed precipitation (likely a little light freezing rain or drizzle Tuesday night over North Alabama.) We drop to near 34 by Wednesday morning.
WEDNESDAY…
Skies will be clearing, it will be windy, and it will be sharply colder. Temperatures will rise only into the lower 40s, if that high. It will be quite cold Wednesday night, with lows by Thursday morning in the upper teens.
THURSDAY…
Will be even colder, with temperatures not getting out of the 30s. Expect lows to average 16F Friday morning, with some single digits possible in the colder locations of North and Northeast Alabama.
FRIDAY…
After the very cold start, winds will shift around to the southwest ahead of an approaching “Clipper” low. That will allow readings to moderate into the upper 40s. Clouds should increase late in the day, but I think it will remain dry.
SATURDAY…
The “Clipper” will pass to our north. Skies should become cloudy and there could be a little light rain. That light rain could change to light snow or flurries Saturday night on the back side of the low.
SUNDAY…
A few snow flurries or a little light snow during the day on Sunday, with highs remaining in the 30s.
So…be alert to the possibility of severe weather on Tuesday, and get ready for some bitter cold during the rest of the week.
James will have the Weather Xtreme Video early in the morning. I am sure he will have lots to talk about…have a great week!
