Wet, Cooler

Rain will return to the area today as a storm system currently along the Upper Texas Coast moves eastward along the Gulf Coast states. After several days of following this system and the synoptic scale pattern, the surface low pressure should track from near Houston to Andalusia, AL over the next 24 hours. A large band of precipitation extends from the northwest Gulf of Mexico to Missouri with wintry precipitation generally falling along and north of I-40. Some showers are moving into West Alabama, and we could see some light rain to moderate rain at times this morning. The heaviest rain should arrive after 6 p.m. and last through midnight. Highs will only top out around 46 this afternoon due to the presence of clouds and rain. However, once the low pressure wave approaches the southwest corner of the state, temperatures should actually rise to around 48 just after midnight. Light rain will continue through the overnight hours with temperatures dropping to 45 tomorrow morning. I should also mention that winds will be breezy at times this afternoon and overnight as the pressure gradient tightens.

The tough part of the forecast hinges on the chance for any wintry precipitation as the system exits. I still think that temperatures will drop quickly once the arctic air moves into the area early tomorrow afternoon. Some lingering precipitation associated with the upper level energy should move through the area by Saturday night. I think temperature profiles will support a threat for very light freezing rain or freezing drizzle between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Precipitation amounts will be so light that major travel problems should not be a concern. However, some patchy ice will be possible on area bridges, so use caution if you'll be out tomorrow evening. The warmest part of the day tomorrow will be the early morning hours with temperatures dropping throughout the day. We'll dry out on Sunday, and the sun should return in the afternoon. I still think temperatures on Sunday are forecast to be too warm by the models, especially with northwest winds crossing a snow and ice pack to our north. Look for highs to be around 40 on Sunday. The large majority of next week looks rather dry with temperatures near normal, but we should return to an active weather pattern late next week.