NICE WARM-UP: Temperatures are in the 25-35 degree range across Alabama early this morning, but with sunshine in full supply we project a high in the low 60s in most locations this afternoon. The average high for Birmingham on January 31 is 56.
Tomorrow will feature a partly sunny sky with a high in the mid 60s. Clouds will increase tomorrow night.
RAIN RETURNS: Wednesday will be a cloudy day with a high in the 60s; rain will likely move into the northern half of the state during the afternoon and evening hours. Then, on Thursday, the latest guidance suggests a decent part of the day could be dry with just a few scattered showers around. Temperatures will rise to near 70 degrees Thursday afternoon… it will be the warmest day of the week.
Rain and thunderstorms will move in Thursday night into Friday morning ahead of a cold front. For now severe storms are not expected, but the rain could be heavy at times. Rain amounts between Wednesday afternoon and Friday will be in the 2-3 inch range for much of the state. The rain will end over North Alabama Friday morning, but wet weather lingers over the southern counties of the state through Friday evening. Friday will be cooler with a high around 50 degrees.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday looks like a mostly cloudy, cool day with a high in the low to mid 50s. There is some evidence a wave could bring in a little light rain Sunday, with the higher precipitation probabilities over the southern half of Alabama. Sunday’s high will be in the 50-55 degree range.
NEXT WEEK: Forecast confidence is not high next week as a complex southwest flow aloft will be in place across the state. Monday looks dry, but some risk of rain will likely return during the mid-week period; too early to be specific on amounts or timing. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
NORTH OF ALABAMA: A major winter storm will unfold this week from parts of North and West Texas to northern New England. Snow amounts of 8-12 inches are possible across parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, and freezing rain and ice issues are possible as far south as Arkansas and West Tennessee.
ON THIS DATE IN 1989: The barometric pressure at Norway, Alaska, reached 31.85 inches (1078.4 mb) establishing an all-time record for the North American Continent. The temperature at the time of the record was about 46 degrees below zero. The severe arctic cold began to invade the north-central U.S. The temperature at Grand Fall, Montana, plunged 85 degrees in 36 hours. Valentine, Nebraska plummeted from a record high of 70 degrees to zero in just nine hours. Northwest winds gusted to 86 mph at Lander WY, and wind chill readings of 80 degrees below zero were reported in Montana.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
