Unseasonably Warm Before a Big Weekend Chill
TODAY AND FRIDAY: Expect a sky full of sunshine both days. Mornings will be chilly with 40s expected, but with all that sun, we should see upper 70s and lower 80s this afternoon. Friday will be a carbon copy of today with upper 70s and low 80s out there, but clouds will be on the increase late in the day as a cold front approaches the state.
FRIDAY NIGHT RAIN?: A storm system is expected to strengthen over the western U.S. the next couple of days. This will bring accumulating snowfall to the northern Rockies. By late week, a significant winter storm may be possible over portions of the Plains with the potential for heavy snow and strong winds. On the warm side of the storm in the Southeast, a cold front will be making a eastward trek and we will introduce the chance of showers late Friday night ahead of the cold front. Moisture will be limited, and the main dynamic support well to the north, so unfortunately the farther south you go, the rain chances will diminish. Could there be some light rain in South/Central Alabama, of course, but we are not talking about a “drought busting” rain, but it could be enough to settle the dust in the locations that are fortunate enough to see it.
CHILLY WEEKEND WEATHER: Much colder air invades Alabama following the front as a brisk northwest wind will advect the coldest weather so far this season into the state. Saturday morning will feature a clearing sky, and full sunshine is expected by the afternoon. Many spots in South/Central Alabama will struggle to climb into the lower 60s for highs. Sunday will be sunny and chilly as well. We drop to near the freezing mark early Monday, and some upper 20s are likely in those colder spots as our growing season comes to and end.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the high school football playoff games Friday night, rain is possible over the northwest corner of the state, otherwise clouds will increase with temperatures in the 60s.
Alabama will host Chattanooga Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium (6:00p CT kickoff)… the sky will be mostly fair with temperatures falling from 54 at kickoff into the chilly low 40s for the second half.
Auburn hosts Alabama A&M Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium (6:30p CT kickoff)… mostly fair with temperatures falling from the mid 50s at kickoff, and into the mid 40s by the fourth quarter.
THANKSGIVING WEEK: The week starts off cold, but then temperatures are going to moderate through the week. It will be dry Monday and Tuesday, but we will bring in a chance of some light rain Wednesday and Wednesday night ahead of another cold front. Rain amounts with this system are not overly impressive again and at this time, I am not expecting much in the rain bucket. For now, Thanksgiving looks cool and dry.
OTTO IS THAT YOU?: It is still officially hurricane center and we continue to watch one area of unsettled weather. A large area of disorganized cloudiness and showers over the southwestern Caribbean Sea is associated with a broad low pressure system. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for slow development of this disturbance during the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or over the weekend while the low moves little. The NHC now gives this feature an 80% of development into a tropical cyclone the next five days.
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Have a great day!
Ryan
