First teens of the season…maybe more on the way!

We speculated last night that some spots across northern parts of the viewing area would drop below 20, and sure enough that came to pass.  In fact 2 official reporting stations did us the honors with both Gadsden and Decatur reporting 19 for lows.  And many other spots were not far behind, with Muscle Shoals coming in at 20, Haleyville and Fort Payne and Anniston 21, and Pinson 22.  Tuscaloosa reported 23, and Birmingham and Calera 25. 
With the help of sunshine, temperatures moderated nicely this afternoon with highs in the low and middle 50’s.  Tonight will be cold, for sure, but it will not be as bitter as last night.  I am forecasting 33 for Birmingham, but I will be watching the speed of fall in the temperature this evening, as a really fast start could get the temperature below freezing again.
Ahead of the next cold front, southwest winds will promote a little more warming with highs close to 60 in the afternoon.  Behind that front cold northerly winds will usher in the next shot of super cold air with temperatures again falling below freezing.  Then on Friday, temperatures will only get to the 40’s despite sunshine, and it will be windy again.  Then I see no reason to doubt that Saturday morning will be every bit as cold as this morning, and could actually be a few notches lower, making for the coldest weather of the season so far.
The weekend will be dry and cool, with finally a chance of some rain showers in the forecast for next Monday.