Birmingham, Alabama — A late-season cool down will move into Alabama early Friday, May 8, bringing below-normal temperatures and the potential for patchy overnight frost that could affect travel and outdoor activity across Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and Mobile.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures will run 20–30% below normal through May 14, with the coolest stretch arriving Friday night into early Saturday. The most likely window for frost development is between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Saturday, mainly across northern and inland parts of the state.
That cooler air will create localized impacts. Patchy frost is possible in sheltered and low-lying areas near Huntsville and rural valleys north of Birmingham, where temperatures may dip into the mid-30s. Sensitive plants could see minor damage, and early morning drivers may encounter slick spots on elevated surfaces such as bridges along I-65 and I-20.
Light rain moving through Friday night may leave roads damp, and cooler temperatures before sunrise could allow moisture to settle on road surfaces. Low-lying roads and flood-prone intersections in Birmingham and Montgomery, especially underpasses and poor-drainage areas, could see minor water pooling that reduces visibility and slows travel.
Drivers should stay alert for changing conditions early Saturday, particularly on bridges and in rural areas where temperatures drop fastest. Residents in northern Alabama should consider covering sensitive vegetation overnight.
The highest risk for patchy frost and early morning travel impacts centers on Saturday between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.
