North Alabama Braces for Freezing Temperatures: Up in North Alabama, the first frosty embrace of fall is about to descend as temperatures are poised to dip below 30 degrees on Tuesday night and Wednesday night.
Andy Kula, a seasoned forecaster with the National Weather Service in Huntsville, shared insights, saying, We went ahead and upgraded to a freeze warning for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Our forecast tells us the lows for many areas will be in the mid-20s. The high for Decatur on Wednesday is 52 degrees.
Even though temperatures may take a dip again on Wednesday night, Kula hinted that issuing another freeze warning might not be on the cards. If we get a killing freeze everywhere, we normally just end the growing season at that point, he added.
But don’t fret; the chill won’t linger too long. Temperatures are expected to make a rebound, reaching 60 degrees on Thursday and gradually climbing through Saturday. Kula shared the details, Friday, it looks like the high is in the mid-60s, and Saturday were actually going to get in the low 70s. Lows will be above freezing by Friday or Saturday morning.
Keith Jackson from Jackson Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in Decatur chimed in with a valuable tip, recalling the burst pipes from last winter’s freezing temperatures. He urged residents to prep ahead, advising, Last December was the worst I ever saw. It was unbelievable. With some of the people, a few preventive measures might have saved them so much heartache. Burst pipes and water damage in your home could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
For a preventive playbook, Jackson suggests covering exposed pipes outside the home, closing crawl space vents and doors, disconnecting outside water hoses, and giving them a snug cover. If temperatures plummet below 25 degrees, he recommends running both hot and cold water in homes with a small, pencil-sized stream.
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Meanwhile, Matt Pilkington, the green thumb behind Stonehedge Nursery in Priceville, shared wisdom for plant enthusiasts. He noted that native plants, heading into dormancy, require minimal maintenance during freezing temperatures. However, he emphasized the need to bring tropical plants indoors or cover them with a cozy blanket. Pilkington also recommended generous mulching for plants left out in the cold.
Kula wrapped up by saying that while the frosty temperatures are hitting slightly early in North Alabama, it’s not entirely unexpected for October. This isnt too uncalled for at this time of year. I think our earliest is definitely earlier than now, he reassured. It may not have gotten as cold as mid-20s, but we usually see freezing temperatures around this time of year.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is it going to be a cold winter in Alabama?
Alabama can expect to experience either above-average or below-average temperatures this upcoming winter, as indicated by the forecast.
What is the coldest month in Alabama?
January typically brings the coldest temperatures, but from mid-December to mid-February, there isn’t a significant difference. Generally, winters are fairly mild, and even during cold snaps, it’s uncommon for the temperature to stay below freezing all day.
How often does it freeze in Alabama?
The entire state experiences an average winter minimum of 35 °F (2 °C), with about 35 days each year below freezing.
How does El Niño affect Alabama?
Winter in the central and southern parts of the state tends to be wetter than usual, while it is drier in the northern part (Figure 4a). El Niño brings the most rainfall in the central and southern areas during winter, while La Niña is responsible for the highest levels of precipitation in the northern part.