An arctic front will move into the Tennessee Valley Thursday evening and temperatures will drop dramatically behind the front. As of Monday, the front looks to move through northwest Alabama between 6 and 7 p.m. and Huntsville between 8 and 9 p.m. It would move through northeast Alabama thereafter. Temperatures look to go from the low 50s Thursday afternoon to the single digits by Friday morning!

Showers will be possible Thursday morning and into the evening before the cold air arrives. As the arctic air moves in Thursday evening, rain may transition to sleet and then to snow Thursday night. As of Monday, the latest data shows the moisture will be out quickly, leaving little time for the snow to accumulate. Nonetheless, it’s still possible to see anywhere from nothing to a few tenths of an inch of snow. A flash freeze may also occur, where road surfaces quickly freeze, turning liquid on the ground to ice. Use caution if you have to travel Friday morning and into the weekend, as temperatures will be well below freezing.

Coldest Christmas in 37 years possible

Ahead of the brutal temperatures in the forecast for the Tennessee Valley, the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Warning. This will go into effect Thursday evening and continue through Friday at 12 pm. The combination of strong winds and arctic cold air will lead to wind chill values between ten to fifteen degrees below zero! These bitter-cold temperatures are forecast to remain that way throughout Friday afternoon. A Wind Chill Watch will go into effect for the area from 12 pm Friday to 12 pm Saturday. Wind chill Saturday morning will have the potential to reach below zero again, mainly close to -5 degrees. Seriously consider limiting your time outside Thursday night through Saturday.

Prepare your home for the cold

This cold weather looks to hang around for a while. Be sure to take precautions to protect yourself, your pets and your home during this cold weather. Be sure to wear layers, along with a heavy coat, hats and gloves when heading outside, and limit the amount of time you plan to spend out in the cold. Make sure that your home is properly insulated and winterized for the upcoming cold.

Arctic Cold Continues For Christmas

Taking an early look at Christmas morning, it looks to start off really cold. Temperatures are forecast to drop into the teens again with wind chills nearing the single digits. Temperatures will struggle to reach 30 degrees on Christmas Day. While it will be extremely cold, we will be able to enjoy plenty of sunshine!