Heavy Rain, Storms, And The Return Of Winter Cold

Clouds and rain returned to Alabama Wednesday. That could be the story for the rest of the week too. For Wednesday afternoon and evening, the sky remains generally cloudy with scattered areas of mainly light rain. Temperatures warm to near or even above 70° thanks to a southeast wind of 10 to 15 mph with higher gusts. Temperatures only fall to around 60° overnight.

There may be somewhat of a lull in rain coverage overnight through midday Thursday. However, Thursday afternoon through Thursday night features our heaviest and most widespread rain this week. Thursday afternoon and evening could also feature some thunderstorms. A few of those storms could be strong or severe, with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph as the primary risk.

Heavy rain looks like the most likely outcome from a cold front arriving Thursday. Rain continues even behind the front through Thursday night and Friday. Area rain totals of 2-4″ appear likely. A flood watch begins at 6 AM Thursday and continues through 9AM Friday to account for the possibility of flash flooding due to heavy rain.

The front also brings a drop in temperatures. Temperatures reach the 70s in advance of the front Thursday afternoon. Temperatures gradually fall Thursday night. Our daytime highs may be our Thursday night low temperatures. Temperatures could steadily fall throughout Friday. At least scattered light rain remains possible throughout the day, with a cloudy sky otherwise.

Clouds could gradually clear out Friday night. Temperatures fall into the 30s. The weekend looks drier now based on most recent model guidance. However, it won’t be particularly warm. Temperatures only reach the 50s Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Lows fall into the 30s. The mainly dry pattern continues into next week.