Update on Cold Air Heading South

One thing we can all agree on. It is going to get cold! The idea of light snow for Alabama Thursday night into Friday is diminishing. Flurries are still possible as the cold front pushes through early Friday morning.

New Years Eve: Cloudy, with some drizzle possible. Turning much colder after dark.

New Years Day: Cold, with highs only in the low 40's.

Next week promises to keep us in the deep freeze. Check out model output for the next 9 days for temperatures in our area:

Check out next week with highs only in the 30's with lows around 20.

Dry Till Wednesday, Wintry on New Years?

Cold and dry through Wednesday. Highs Monday and Tuesday only in the mid 40's. Then rain moves in during the day on Wednesday.

Check out the model output for 6am New Years Day. Cold air in place and a weak surface low in the Gulf of Mexico could bring a little snow to North Central Alabama. We will wait and see...

New Years Eve: Dry during the day high only in the 40's with precipitation moving in after midnight. Chance of snow after midnight.

New Years Day: Cold with a chance of snow.

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Weather

49F degrees out at mid-morning heading for a high in the low 50's. After some light showers this morning, it will be very breezy today with wind gust to 30 mph. Wouldn't be surprised to see many Christmas decorations scattered about tonight. The line of rain and thunderstorms is heading for Alabama. A strong low pressure system is located near the TX/LA/AR line. This is creating quite a weather mess across much of the mid section of the country today. For us, expect heavy downpours after dark through midnight. There is a chance of severe thunderstorms as well. The SPC has outlined a slight risk for areas just to the south of here. Rainfall totals of 1-2" are likely.

Christmas Day looks cloudy, breezy, and colder with a high in the 40's. It stays cold through the weekend, but the sun should return on Saturday.

Winter Weather Advisory - Calhoun and surrounding areas

Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 11 PM this evening to 6 am CST Saturday...

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a Winter Weather Advisory which is in effect from 11 PM this evening to 6am CST Saturday. Rain will overspread the area through midnight... then change to a mixture of rain and snow... then to all snow by 3 am on Saturday. Up to 1 inch snow accumulation will be possible... mainly on grassy areas and elevated surfaces. The precipitation will taper off quickly from west to east late tonight.

Precautionary/preparedness actions... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities... and use caution while driving. Stay tuned to weather radio or other local media outlets for further details or updates from the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

From the NWS concerning Friday night/Saturday morning

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
BIRMINGHAM AL
450 AM CST THU DEC 3 2009

ALZ011>015-017>050-032200-MARION-LAMAR-FAYETTE-WINSTON-WALKER-BLOUNT-ETOWAH-CALHOUN-CHEROKEE-CLEBURNE-PICKENS-TUSCALOOSA-JEFFERSON-SHELBY-ST. CLAIR-TALLADEGA-CLAY-RANDOLPH-SUMTER-GREENE-HALE-PERRY-BIBB-CHILTON-COOSA-TALLAPOOSA-CHAMBERS-MARENGO-DALLAS-AUTAUGA-LOWNDES-ELMORE-MONTGOMERY-MACON-BULLOCK-LEE-RUSSELL-PIKE-BARBOUR-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…HAMILTON…SULLIGENT…VERNON…FAYETTE…DOUBLE SPRINGS…JASPER…ONEONTA…GADSDEN…ANNISTON…CENTRE…HEFLIN…CARROLLTON…TUSCALOOSA…BIRMINGHAM…HOOVER…COLUMBIANA…PELHAM…ALABASTER…PELL CITY…MOODY…TALLADEGA…SYLACAUGA…ASHLAND…ROANOKE…LIVINGSTON…EUTAW…GREENSBORO…MOUNDVILLE…MARION…CENTREVILLE…CLANTON…ROCKFORD…ALEXANDER CITY…DADEVILLE…VALLEY…LANETT…LAFAYETTE…DEMOPOLIS…LINDEN…SELMA…PRATTVILLE…FORT DEPOSIT…HAYNEVILLE…WETUMPKA…TALLASSEE…MONTGOMERY…TUSKEGEE…UNION SPRINGS…AUBURN…OPELIKA…PHENIX CITY…TROY…EUFAULA

450 AM CST THU DEC 3 2009

…WINTER STORM EXPECTED ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THE LATE MORNING ON SATURDAY…
A STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVER THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO LATE FRIDAY THAT WILL LIKELY BRING MEASURABLE SNOW TO PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND NOON ON SATURDAY. AT THIS TIME…AMOUNTS OF UP TO ONE INCH ARE EXPECTED ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 20…59 AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 85…WITH POSSIBLE HIGHER TOTALS IN ELEVATED AREAS IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA. AREAS NORTH OF INTERSTATE 20…59 ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE AROUND ONE HALF INCH. ALTHOUGH SOME LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED…WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ARE NOT LIKELY WITH THIS EVENT DUE TO THE WARM SOIL TEMPERATURES THAT WILL REMAIN WELL ABOVE FREEZING. STAY TUNED FORFURTHER FORECAST UPDATES.(Forecaster, K. LAWS )