James Spann: Cold air stays in place for Alabama through Friday
COLD WINTER DAY: Temperatures are generally below freezing at mid-afternoon north of I-20, with readings between 25 and 32 degrees. We are seeing mostly 30s across the rest of the state, and some rain continues across the southeast counties ahead of the push of cold air. The average high for Birmingham on Jan. 20 is 54.
We note some clearing over the northwest corner of the state this afternoon, but most of the state remains under a thick blanket of clouds. The low early Friday will be between 22 and 32 degrees across the state, and the rain across southeast Alabama will diminish this evening.
Friday will be cold and dry for most of the state with a mix of sun and clouds; the high will be between 38 and 42 degrees. Some rain is possible near the Gulf Coast as a wave of low pressure forms along the front offshore.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Look for a good supply of sunshine both days. The highs will be in the mid to upper 40s Saturday and between 47 and 51 degrees Sunday. Mornings will be very cold, with lows between 18 and 24 degrees.
NEXT WEEK: Monday will be dry with a high in the 50s; then the next wave brings rain into the state late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Rain amounts will be around one-half inch, and the rain will end from west to east Tuesday afternoon. Dry weather is likely Wednesday through Friday with temperatures remaining below average.
ON THIS DATE IN 1985: A cold wave was in progress over the eastern half of the U.S., including Alabama. Birmingham’s low was 4 degrees below zero. Other lows that morning included:
- Huntsville — minus 9
- Muscle Shoals — minus 8
- Anniston — minus 2
- Tuscaloosa — 1
- Montgomery — 4
- Mobile — 9
ON THIS DATE IN 2019: An EF-1 tornado moved through Wetumpka in Elmore County. The tornado touched down on the north side of the Coosa River, south of South Boundary Street. It tracked north-northeast right into Wetumpka. Just after crossing South Boundary Street, the tornado began snapping and uprooting trees. The strongest winds appeared to be between West Bridge Street and West Tuskeena Street, where several large trees were downed and a church was damaged. The tornado continued north-northeast, where several more trees were downed and several structures received minor roof damage. The tornado lifted near Wetumpka City Park and North Bridge Street. It was 1.53 miles long and was 450 yards wide at its widest point.
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