STORMS OVERNIGHT THEN TURNING COLDER

by WAKA Action 8 News

STRONG STORMS TONIGHT: An area of low pressure will lift north out of the Gulf of Mexico tonight, out ahead of a cold front that is moving into the Southeast. Wind shear and warm, moist air will move in over Alabama and there is enough of a concern for the Storm Prediction Center has issued a “Marginal Risk” for severe weather for much of Alabama overnight. This is NOT your classic severe weather set-up, but there is enough of a threat to stay weather aware tonight. Heavy rainfall will be a big threat with numerous spots seeing 1 to 2 inches with up to 3 possible.  This will lead to ponding of water on roadways.  Drive with caution when heading into work or school early Thursday morning.  Along with heavy rain,  the other concern will be gusty, damaging straight-lines winds, and there is enough shear that an isolated tornado is possible. This system will rapidly move out of the area during the first half of the day Thursday and we should see gradual clearing as cooler and drier air arrives in Alabama.

COLDER AND DRIER: For Friday through Sunday, high pressure will be in control of our weather and that means plenty of sunshine, and no threat of rain. We will however be experiencing much colder weather. Highs this weekend will only be in the upper 50s and lower 60s, with overnight lows in the lower 30s, and many of us will be seeing freezing temperatures Saturday and Sunday morning. It will be a beautiful weekend, just chilly, and will be finally be feeling like the Christmas season. This will be a short-lived cold snap as another storm system approaches early next week.

INTO CHRISTMAS WEEK: Moisture returns Monday, and a shower is possible by afternoon. Then, Tuesday through Thursday the weather looks mild and unsettled with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Highs will be well up in the 60s, and overnight lows only in the 50s, which remain well above average for late December. By late Christmas Eve, drier air is expected to move back into the state; giving hope that Christmas Day will be rain-free. No sign of any seriously cold air, however, still looks like most of the eastern U.S. will see above average temperatures through the end of the year. .