Christmas day forecast: it’s going to be hot
Christmas Day is approaching Saturday and it looks like it will be warm in Alabama with above average temperatures.
There’s a chance some might see a bit of rain too, but it’s still not clear who, what, when and how much.
The temperatures on Saturday, Christmas Day 2021, are a little more certain. The National Weather Service predicts peaks will climb in the 60s to 70s statewide.
In fact, some places in southern Alabama can be close to 80 degrees before Rudolph returns to the North Pole.
If the forecast holds true, it will be a little above average and close to record levels in some areas.
Here are some high average temperatures for a few cities in Alabama on Christmas Day:
* Atmore: 61 (record high of 80 in 2015)
* Birmingham: 55 (record high of 78 in 2016)
* Cullman: 51 (record high of 73 in 2015)
* Dauphin Island: 60 (record high of 80 in 2016)
* Evergreen: 60 (record record 78 in 2016)
* Fort Payne: 54 (record high of 73 in 2019)
* Gadsden: 54 (record high of 73 in 2015)
* Geneva: 63 (record record of 80 in 2015)
* Guntersville: 51 (record record 74 in 1964)
* Huntsville: 53 (record high of 77 in 2016)
* Mobile: 62 (record record of 80 in 2016)
* Montgomery: 60 degrees (record 82 in 2016)
* Muscle Shoals: 53 (record high of 78 in 2016)
* Selma: 59 (record record 79 in 1964)
* Thomasville: 59 (record record 79 in 1955)
* Troy: 59 (record record 79 in 1926)
* Tuscaloosa: 56 (record high of 80 in 2016)
* Valley Head: 50 (record record 75 in 1964)
Temperatures warming up in December can sometimes lead to extreme weather conditions for the ride.
It doesn’t look like it this time around – at least since Monday morning – according to forecasters.
There could be rain for some, however. A frontal system will approach from the northwest from Friday to Saturday, and there’s a chance it could bring a downpour or two to Alabama – that is, if it even gets into the state. There’s a chance it will stagnate in northern Alabama, the Weather Service said.
The chances of rain for Saturday are therefore very uncertain at this point, according to forecasters. Stay tuned.
Above average temperatures are expected to persist until the end of the year.
Here is the Climate Prediction Center’s forecast for temperatures through the end of December:
The Climate Prediction Center’s outlook from Dec. 25-29 suggests higher-than-average temperatures will be likely across Alabama.
The 8-14 day outlook also hints at higher than average temperatures through 2022:
Here is the temperature forecast for December 27 through January 2. Warmer-than-average temperatures seem likely, especially for southern Alabama.