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TONIGHT AND TOMORROW: Cloudy and cold weather continues. We might see a peek of the sun tomorrow at times, but a southwest flow aloft will keep us generally overcast. And, like today, we won’t get out of the 40s.
SNOW OR NO SNOW? All of the attention continues to be focused on the potential weather for Alabama with the next wave down in the Gulf of Mexico. The morning computer model runs really suggest our forecast is right on track. Be sure and watch the Weather Xtreme video for a detailed look at the graphics that go with this discussion.
Let me continue to stress we do not believe this will be a big winter storm, just a Gulf system that has the potential to bring some light snow to the central counties of the state. Soil temperatures are warm (see Dr. Coleman’s post below), so we do not expect widespread travel problems and accumulation, if any, will be light.
WHEN? The best chance of snow for Alabama will come from about 2:00 a.m until 11:00 a.m. Saturday.
WHO? The best chance of getting a little snow on the ground in grassy areas will be south of I-59 (south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Gadsden), and north of a line from Jackson to Greenville to Eufaula. Looks like only light flurries for the Tennessee Valley, and to the south some sleet and snow is not out of the question down to the Florida line, but it will be mostly rain.
HOW MUCH? Most spots across Central Alabama will see only a dusting to around one inch; a few isolated amounts to two inches are possible mainly across higher terrain. A few people could have enough snow for a snowball fight, or to make a decent snowman.
TRAVEL PROBLEMS? Nothing widespread, but remember, we have more accidents when we have 1 inch of rain compared to 1 inch of snow. The roads will be simply wet. However, an icy patch or two is possible on bridges where temperatures get down to 32 early Saturday morning. Many places will hover in the 33 to 35 degree range during the light snow.
REMEMBER: There is limited skill in forecasting winter weather events in Alabama, so this is subject to change. Keep an eye on the blog for possible changes during the next 36 hours. But, confidence in this scenario is growing.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the remaining Super 6 games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the weather will be cloudy and cold. Temperatures for tonight’s Demopolis/Russellville game will hover in the 42 to 45 degree range with a chilly north breeze. Pretty much the same situation tomorrow; for the day games temperatures in Tuscaloosa will be in the 45 to 48 degree range, dropping into the low 40s for tomorrow night’s Hoover/Prattville 6A title game.
Of course, Alabama/Florida is inside the Georgia Dome, but some light snow is likely for Atlanta Saturday outside the dome, but no major accumulation or travel problems are expected.
REST OF THE WEEKEND: The sky becomes partly sunny Saturday, and Sunday will feature a good supply of sunshine. We will struggle to reach the mid 40s Saturday, but low to mid 50s are possible Sunday.
NEXT WEEK: The weather turns wet again with moisture returning. Some rain is possible at times Monday and Tuesday; the rain will be heavier and some thunderstorms could become involved by Tuesday night and Wednesday as a strong upper trough approaches.
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