ALABAMA — North and Central Alabama are preparing for a significant and potentially hazardous cold blast this weekend, with temperatures dropping sharply after a brief warm-up. Birmingham and Huntsville reached 60 degrees Friday for the first time in more than two weeks, but the warm spell will end abruptly as a strong Arctic front sweeps through the state on Saturday. The coldest air will lag behind the front until early Sunday morning, followed by a prolonged period of below-freezing temperatures across much of Alabama.
Cold Front Arrives Saturday With Limited Rainfall
Forecasters note that moisture ahead of the front will be minimal.
- Only a few light showers are expected before the front passes.
- Little to no measurable precipitation is expected north of Interstate 20.
- Areas south of I-20 may see brief sprinkles but no impactful rainfall is forecast.
Snow rumors circulating on social media are greatly exaggerated. While microscopic ice grains or hexagonal snowflakes may occur in isolated pockets of higher terrain in northeastern Alabama or along the Tennessee Plateau, meteorologists emphasize:
- No accumulation is expected.
- Snow risk is extremely low.
These tiny ice crystals occasionally occur during fast-moving Arctic fronts, but they are not indicative of a widespread snow event.
Dangerous Cold Expected Sunday Into Monday
The main story will be the intensity and duration of the cold air mass behind the front.
Forecast cold impacts include:
- Feels-like temperatures in the 20s by Sunday afternoon
- Morning lows in the teens and 20s statewide by Monday
- 20 to 30 straight hours below freezing between Sunday and Monday
This level of prolonged cold is unusual for early December and may trigger cold-weather advisories for several counties.
County Breakdown: Hours Below Freezing
According to preliminary projections:
30–36 Hours Below Freezing:
Florence, Huntsville, Russellville, Fort Payne, Arab, Cullman…