Cloudy, Slightly Warmer; Rain Possible Overnight

The storm system that brought some light rain to the area yesterday and last night is exiting to the east. However, we'll quickly turn our attention back to the west where a strengthening shortwave trough is causing rain and snow across Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. In the meantime, since we are between two weather systems, we should remain on the dry side for the daylight hours. The morning sounding from Birmingham indicates that the air is very dry above 750 mb, but an abundance of moisture is trapped below. Although we'll continue to dry out the mid and lower levels as the day progresses, moisture will remain trapped below about 900 mb. As a result, skies will likely stay cloudy today. However, southerly winds will allow temperatures to top out around 54 this afternoon.

As the aforementioned shortwave approaches from the west, moisture will begin to increase through the column this evening and overnight. Heavier rains in the northern Gulf will tend to cut off the shield of rain to its north. As a result, a few light showers will be possible after midnight, but rainfall amounts will be very light (<0.05"). The precipitation should remain all liquid as forecasting soundings show that it will be a little too warm in the lowest 2,000' for any snow. As winds turn northerly this evening, temperatures will begin to drop quickly. Lows on the first day of the new year should be near 37. Wind gusts in the upper teens will make the temperature to feel even colder.