Alabama’s unusually warm December weather will continue through the weekend, but a powerful Arctic cold front is set to sweep across the state late Sunday into Monday, bringing a sharp temperature drop, rain, thunder, strong winds, and the season’s coldest air so far. Forecasters say residents should prepare for wind chills in the 20s and 30s, followed by a hard freeze Tuesday morning.
Warm Weekend Before the Temperature Crash
The weekend will feel more like early fall than late December. Forecasters report:
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy and warm, morning lows near 60 and afternoon highs in the lower 70s.
- Sunday: Very warm again with highs in the 70s. Showers possible in the afternoon and evening, with a better chance of rain and thunder after 10 p.m.
This warm spell won’t last long — a major change arrives late Sunday night.
Monday: Rain, Thunder, and a Rapid Temperature Drop
A strong Arctic front will move through Alabama early Monday, bringing:
- Rain and thunder before 8 a.m.
- Windy, sharply colder conditions through the day
- Temperatures near 60 around midnight, falling into the 40s by afternoon
By midday Monday, wind chills in North Alabama will dip into the 20s and 30s, with the cold spreading south into the afternoon and evening.
Tuesday: Hard Freeze and Bitter Cold
Tuesday will bring the coldest temperatures of the week:
- Morning lows in the upper teens to lower 20s
- Wind chills near or below 10 degrees at sunrise
- Sunny but cold afternoon highs in the 30s to lower 40s
Nearly all of Alabama will fall below freezing Tuesday morning, except for areas right along the Gulf Coast. A hard freeze is likely for regions north of Montgomery and Selma.
Midweek and New Year’s Outlook
Cold conditions continue into midweek:
- Wednesday (New Year’s Eve): Another freezing morning with lows in the 20s; sunny and chilly afternoon highs near 50.
- Thursday (New Year’s Day): Mostly sunny and slightly milder, with highs in the mid-50s.
Temperatures will trend closer to seasonal averages heading into New Year’s.
Diving Deeper: The Return of Arctic Air
This cold blast follows more than a week of abnormal warmth. The first half of December was significantly colder than usual, but recent warm days have nearly erased that deficit. Still, Alabama is about to face a dramatic reminder that winter is far from over.
Forecasters note a low-end severe weather risk Sunday evening for areas near The Shoals and into Tennessee and northern Mississippi. By the time the system reaches central Alabama, it is expected to weaken into heavy downpours with occasional lightning.
Where’s the Rain?
Despite December’s storms, rainfall totals remain unusually low:
- Birmingham: Less than 1 inch of rain this month
- Huntsville: Only 1.66 inches, more than 3 inches below normal
A wetter pattern is expected to develop in early January, but widespread beneficial rainfall is still at least a week away.
Summary
Alabama will shift from warm, springlike weather to frigid Arctic air starting Monday, bringing rain, thunder, strong winds, and a hard freeze by Tuesday morning. Residents should prepare for rapidly changing conditions and take precautions against dangerous cold. Stay updated with Alabama’s latest weather alerts and forecast developments at HonkNews.com.