James Spann: Alabama getting colder but no wetter from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Today we honor and remember those who have fought for our country. Thanks to all for your service.
FROSTY MORNING: For some Alabama communities, the growing season is ending this morning with freezing temperatures. Here are some reports just before sunrise:
- Black Creek (just northeast of Gadsden) — 26
- Gadsden (Noccalula Falls) — 29
- Fort Payne — 30
- Valley Head — 30
- Concord — 31
- Anniston — 32
- Pinson — 32
- Scottsboro — 32
- Haleyville — 33
- Coker — 34
- Center Point — 37
- Tuscaloosa — 37
- Birmingham Airport — 38
Look for a good supply of sunshine today through high clouds with a high around 70 degrees this afternoon.
DROUGHT UPDATE: Based on new drought monitor data, 52 percent of Alabama is now in an “exceptional” or “extreme” drought condition; basically the northern half of the state.
This is now the longest period of no measurable rain on record for Birmingham. Today is the 54th consecutive day with no measurable rain at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport.
A drought emergency remains in effect for all 67 Alabama counties. Remember: NO outdoor burning. It is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire.
Conserve water. Birmingham Water Works remains in a “stage four extreme drought emergency.”
THE WEEKEND: No change; mostly sunny, pleasant days and clear, chilly nights. Highs in the 60s, lows in the 30s and 40s.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the high school playoff games tonight, a clear sky with temperatures falling from the low 60s at kickoff into the low 50s by the second half.
Alabama hosts Mississippi State tomorrow (11 a.m. kickoff); the sky will be sunny, with temperatures rising from near 62 at kickoff to 68 by the fourth quarter.
Auburn travels to Athens, Ga., to take on the Georgia Bulldogs (2:30 p.m. kickoff). A perfect day for football tomorrow — about 65 degrees at kickoff, dropping back into the upper 50s by the final whistle.
NEXT WEEK: Still dry through Thursday. By next Thursday, Nov. 17, we will have gone 60 consecutive days with no measurable rain. A big storm system will lift northeast out of the Rockies at the end of the week, and a trailing cold front will pass through Alabama Friday night, Nov. 18, or Saturday, Nov. 19. That is our next hope for rain; unfortunately, the latest global model set has trended drier with this frontal passage, but you will see several flip-flops before it arrives. Let’s hope it can tap into returning Gulf moisture for showers and storms; one Global Forecast System run yesterday suggested rain amounts of one-half to 1 inch for North and Central Alabama. We will just have to wait and see.
On a positive note, new European ensemble guidance still shows a much wetter pattern from late November through December.
AT THE BEACH: Sunny days, fair nights on the coast from Panama City Beach over to Gulf Shores through next week, with highs mostly in the 70s. See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.
WEATHER BRAINS: You can listen to our weekly 90-minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including meteorologists at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus
Instagram
For more weather news and information, visit AlabamaWX.
