Windy and cold is the weather headline early on this Sunday morning.
A strong cold front ushered in much colder air overnight. Temperatures have fallen into the 30s for the most part or will do so soon. Northwest winds at 15-25 mph are pushing wind chills a few degrees colder than the air temperature readings.
A lake wind advisory is in effect until 5 p.m.
Skies are cloudy. A few areas of light rain were over the Central Alabama, mainly in an area bounded by Birmingham, Centreville, Selma, Alex City and Anniston, then back to Birmingham. Flurries were reported in Muscle Shoals, where the temperature was down to 34F.
Clouds are thick back to the Mississippi River, so cloudy skies will be with us for a while. Hopefully, the sun will break through enough to allow readings to edge back into the lower 40s this afternoon. But still a miserable day is expected.
A fire weather watch has been issued for this afternoon. Conditions are expected to be ripe for explosive wildfire development across Central Alabama, so avoid burning and be careful with any flame or ember, including discarded cigarettes.
It will be cold tonight, with lows in the middle 20s. Normally colder locations could be even colder.
Additional note…Tuscaloosa recorded a record high on Saturday with a reading of 76F.
