Hello Spring!!! Friday Afternoon Forecast Update – 4:30 PM

After a cold few days, we’re moving in the right direction, with a major warming trend in the forecast. Many of us made it well down into the teens last night, with some single digits where a good snow pack was still on the ground. Sunshine will continue in full force over the weekend.

Temperatures tonight will fall into the lower 20s again tonight, with some upper teens to the north of Tuscaloosa. High pressure builds into the south, so there won’t be much wind over the next few days. High pressure brings sinking air, so plenty of sunshine can be expected with warm days and cold nights. Also, the dry air will be responsible to bringing big temperature swings from lows to highs. Dry air heats and cools very efficiently. Lows will stay below freezing through Sunday morning, and highs will continue to warm. Highs on Saturday will top out in the middle 50s, but even middle 60s are expected on Sunday and Monday.

A south flow will develop and increase next week, so moisture will increase as well. This means temperatures at night will be on a rise. Lows will warm into the middle 30s on Monday and Tuesday morning, with 40s expected Wednesday morning. As ridging builds out of the southwest, temperatures will warm even more. Highs could reach 70 as early as Tuesday. As strong warm air advection takes over on Thursday and Friday, I wouldn’t be surprised if middle 70s are reached, especially on Friday. With warm and moist air advection over the middle of next week, a few extra clouds will likely develop.

Be sure to join me on WVUA-TV tonight at 5, 6 and 10 for the latest on your forecast. Have a great day!

WVUA Chief Meteorologist Richard Scott