Birmingham, Alabama – A notable stretch of colder-than-normal weather is expected to take hold across Alabama from Friday through early the following week, bringing sustained chilly conditions, occasional freezing nights in the north, and limited chances for widespread rainfall.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14-day outlook for Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 places much of Alabama within a high-confidence zone for below-normal temperatures. Northern and central Alabama fall within an 80 to 100 percent probability range for colder-than-average conditions as a broad cold pattern remains locked across the eastern United States, extending from New England through the Deep South.
High temperatures across Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, and Anniston are expected to run several degrees below seasonal averages. Overnight lows are likely to dip near or below freezing at times across north Alabama, while central and southern portions of the state experience colder-than-usual nights and brisk daytime conditions. Even coastal areas near Mobile are expected to trend cooler than normal during this period. The cold air mass stretches east along the Atlantic Coast and west into the Ohio Valley and Mississippi Valley.
Precipitation during this period is expected to trend below normal across most of Alabama. The outlook favors a drier-than-average pattern from the Midwest through the Southeast, limiting the likelihood of frequent rain events. While a brief light rain or weak frontal passage cannot be ruled out, the overall setup does not support repeated or significant precipitation.
Above-normal precipitation chances are mainly confined to Texas, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest, while near-normal precipitation is expected across parts of the southern Plains and Southwest.
Alabama residents should prepare for an extended stretch of winter cold, take steps to protect pipes and sensitive plants during colder nights, and remain cautious of early morning icy spots, especially in northern counties. Additional outlook updates may follow as confidence increases closer to the period.
