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A QUIET CHRISTMAS EVENING
As Christmas Day fades into night, central Alabama is in for a calm and mild evening. High pressure to the east held off any significant weather, bringing mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s earlier in the day. Cloud cover is expected to increase from the west this evening as a weak system approaches. While most areas will remain dry, isolated showers may develop west of I-65 through midnight, with lows ranging from the mid 30s in the Northeast to 40s in the West.

THURSDAY: CLOUDS increasing, with patchy showers
Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy across the region on Thursday as moisture begins to move in ahead of an impending disturbance. The greatest chance for isolated showers remains near and west of I-65, with the strongest activity limited to areas west of Tuscaloosa. Highs will rise to the mid 50s to mid 60s, becoming cooler in the east where cloud cover lasts longer. Southeasterly winds remain light, maintaining a mild and stable air mass over the state.

FRIDAY: Rain returns for some
A more active weather pattern begins Friday with increasing rain chances throughout the afternoon, particularly in northwest Alabama. A weak frontal boundary associated with a deepening low in Texas will spread moisture into the region. Although much of the state will remain dry through midday, isolated showers are likely to develop by late afternoon. Highs will reach the lower 60s with the southeast breeze increasing slightly adding to the humid feeling. Rainfall totals remain low, but unsettled weather sets the stage for a wetter and more dynamic Saturday.

SATURDAY: Showers, thunderstorms and potentially severe weather
Saturday will be the most active day of the week as a stronger storm system moves into the Southeast. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. While instability may be limited due to persistent cloud cover, a favorable wind profile suggests the possibility of some strong storms, particularly in the western and central parts of the state. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely, with locally higher totals. The main serious threats include gusty winds and an isolated tornado, although confidence that widespread severe weather will occur is currently low.

SUNDAY: The showers are moving away, the light is getting late
Rain and thunderstorms will continue into Sunday morning as the frontal system moves through. Rainfall decreases around midday, resulting in partly cloudy skies in the afternoon. Temperatures will remain mild, with highs around 60°C, and a light southwesterly breeze will dry things out. Skies will clear on Sunday evening, offering a brief respite before the next system approaches to start the new week.

MONDAY: A SHORT BREAK before it rains again
High pressure will briefly build across the region on Monday, bringing a mix of sunshine and clouds with highs in the mid to upper 50s. It will be a dry and calm day, giving residents a chance to recover from the weekend’s storms. This break will be short-lived, however, as another fast-moving system brings the chance of rain back into the forecast late Monday night into Tuesday morning.

TUESDAY: ANOTHER QUICK STRIKE SYSTEM
There will be another round of isolated showers on Tuesday as a weaker disturbance sweeps across the area. Rainfall totals are expected to remain low and severe weather is not expected. Highs will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s and skies are expected to clear by the evening. This system will pave the way for drier conditions on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve and beyond
New Year’s Eve looks calm and cool, with temperatures above 40 degrees and partly cloudy skies. There will be a number of fast-moving systems early in 2025 that could bring additional rain chances later in the week. While the extended outlook suggests an active pattern, there are no signs of significant cold air incursions, keeping the region mild and humid in early January.

Severe weather prospects
The Storm Prediction Center notes the potential for severe weather Saturday, particularly for portions of the lower Mississippi Valley into Alabama. Although confidence in the exact location and intensity of storms remains low due to concerns about timing and instability, this event is worth keeping an eye on. Higher shear and moderate instability could lead to isolated severe storms, with damaging winds and a brief tornado the main threats. Residents should monitor updates as this system evolves.

BENEFITS OF DEFAULT
Despite the stormy forecast, expected rainfall will benefit drought-stricken areas. Moderate drought remains in central Alabama, and expected rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches over the weekend will help ease the drought. Although localized flooding in low-lying areas cannot be ruled out, the overall impact should be positive on soil moisture and reservoir levels.

BEACH OCCUPY
The beautiful beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida will experience partly sunny skies today with a small chance of showers, with highs in the mid to upper 60s and a small risk of rip currents. Tonight clouds will increase and there will be a moderate risk of rip currents as surf heights increase to 2 to 3 feet. Lows will fall into the upper 50s. Thursday brings mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of showers with highs above 60 degrees and surf heights rising to 3 to 4 feet, leaving a moderate risk of rip currents. Thursday night through Saturday, the risk of rip currents increases to high levels, with surf totals of 3 to 5 feet, isolated showers Friday, and rain and thunderstorms likely Saturday. Sunday offers partial clearing and milder conditions, but the risk of strong currents remains.

ON THIS DATE IN 2010
Birmingham has never officially recorded a true white Christmas, defined as at least an inch of snow on the ground. The closest it came was in 2010, when it snowed in parts of central Alabama on Christmas morning, but Birmingham Airport only recorded a trace. Memorable events like the 1929 snowfall and other holiday storms keep alive the dream of residents who hope to one day experience snowy festivities.

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