Warm and Unsettled Week of Weather
It is going to be a very busy week in the weather department as unseasonably warm weather, showers and storms, and the threat of severe weather highlight our forecast.
First off, the winter solstice occurs tonight at 10:49 PM CST. That means winter officially arrives tonight. However, it is not going to be feeling like winter as a warming trend is ahead all week, with the chance of record warmth.
FOR OUR MONDAY: We are starting our day off in the 40s and 50s and this will be the coldest morning of the week. It is a cloudy start to the day, with a few light showers on the radar. As we head through the day, the rain will expand in coverage and intensity and you are going to need the rain gear today, and the rest of the week. Temperatures this afternoon will climb into the mid-60s. Heading into the overnight hours, expect periods of rain and even a few rumbles of thunder, with temperatures holding in the 60s.
THE REST OF THIS WEEK: Southerly flow will continue to allow warm and moist air to move into the state. Our highs the rest of the week will be in the 70s and even some upper 70s are going to be likely. Average highs this time of year are in the upper 50s, that means temps will be 15 to possibly 25 degrees above average. With the unseasonably warm weather, we are going to keep a careful watch on the weather. Several upper-level features will work across the Southeast and that means several round of showers and storms, and strong storms are possible. The atmosphere will be very unstable this week, and this will bring a threat for strong and possibly severe storms, Tuesday through Thursday, but especially Wednesday and into Wednesday night. The Storm Prediction Center and National Weather Service are concerned with a possible tornado outbreak for portions of North Alabama and Mississippi on Wednesday. Very heavy rainfall is expected as well, and several inches of rain will be possible, and we could have to deal with the threat of flooding. This week, we all need to stay weather aware!
CHRISTMAS DAY: The forecast trends drier, but there will still be a chance of a few scattered showers and it should be mainly cloudy. It will remain very mild as well and highs Christmas Day are forecast to be in the upper 70s. Record high for Christmas Day in Montgomery is 81F set back in 1981. The record warmest low is 66F set way back in 1875. Needless to say it is going to be very warm!
