James Spann: Alabama gets rainy but warmer weather today, tomorrow from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

RADAR CHECK: Rain is falling over much of North Alabama this morning, with temperatures in the 50s.

The rain is ahead of a surface front that will become nearly stationary over Alabama tonight. We should point out this is not an Arctic front; the high today will be close to 60, followed by mid 60s tomorrow.

The most widespread rain will come this morning; there should be a break for much of North/Central Alabama this afternoon, but the sky will stay cloudy. Then, the front will move northward slowly as a warm front tonight and tomorrow, with rain increasing again statewide. Rain amounts through tomorrow night should be in the one-half-inch range. Some thunder is possible over the next 36 hours, but there is no risk of severe thunderstorms.

For now it looks like the rain will be pretty much over by late tomorrow night. Wednesday looks cool and dry, with slow clearing and a high in the mid to upper 50s.

ARCTIC BLAST THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Yet another surge of very cold air drops into the state Thursday. The high will be around 40 degrees along the I-20 corridor (Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Anniston). Most places to the north will hold in the 30s all day with a chilly north breeze of 10-18 mph, making it feel colder. On the positive side, the sun should be out in full force.

We project a low early Friday in the 18- to 22-degree range for most communities; during the day Friday, the high will be in the mid 40s with sunny sky.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The weather turns warmer; we rise into the 60s Saturday with the sky becoming mostly cloudy, and rain should become widespread late Saturday, Saturday night and into Sunday. The weekend event should bring around 1 inch of needed rain to our state.

NEXT WEEK: After a dry day or two, it looks like more rain will move into Alabama by mid to late week. Remember, we are still in a severe to exceptional drought, so this is a very good thing. Here are rain deficiencies since Jan. 1:

• Anniston — 16.26 inches
• Tuscaloosa — 13.43 inches
• Birmingham — 11.72 inches
• Montgomery — 10.74 inches
• Huntsville — 9.18 inches

CHRISTMAS?? There is no skill in a specific forecast beyond seven days, but the pattern seems to favor seasonal temperatures with highs in the 50s. For Birmingham, the average high on Dec. 25 is 54 degrees.

We need to stress there is no evidence of any issues in Alabama with snow or ice over the next 15 days.

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