Record high temperatures possible in Alabama this week

Record high temperatures possible in Alabama this week

Winter looks like it is going to take the week off.

The National Weather Service said record high temperatures will be possible across the state this week as springlike warmth takes center stage.

The bad thing about warm temperatures in the winter is that could mean severe weather is lurking on the horizon. But, as of Monday morning, the Storm Prediction Center doesn’t have any areas in Alabama in a severe weather risk area this week.

However, the National Weather Service noted that some rain and a few storms will be possible on Tuesday and Wednesday.

What’s more certain is that much warmer-than-average temperatures will be possible across the state this week. Record-breaking high temperatures look to be most likely on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather service.

Places in the state are forecast to reach the 80s on Tuesday, with 70s elsewhere. Then on Wednesday the entire state is expected to reach the 80s — and some spots could even see the mid-80s, according to the weather service forecasts.

Here is the forecast for Wednesday:

Temperatures are forecast to be in the 70s and 80s across Alabama on Wednesday.

Highs on Thursday could even be warmer — with more areas in south Alabama forecast to reach the mid-80s.

Here is Thursday’s forecast:

Thursday highs

All of Alabama is expected to see 80-degree temperatures on Thursday. Some may even hit the mid-80s.

Here are the existing record highs for Feb. 22 (Wednesday) and Feb. 23 (Thursday) for a few Alabama cities:

Birmingham:

Feb. 22: 81 degrees (2018)

Feb 23: 83 degrees (1996)

Cullman:

Feb. 22: 78 degrees (2018)

Feb. 23: 77 degrees (2018)

Dothan:

Feb. 22: 83 degrees (2022)

Feb. 23: 86 degrees (2019)

Gadsden:

Feb. 22: 81 degrees (2018)

Feb. 23: 81 degrees (2018)

Huntsville:

Feb. 22: 77 degrees (2018)

Feb. 23: 83 degrees (1996)

Mobile:

Feb. 22: 81 degrees (2022)

Feb. 23: 82 degrees (2022)

Montgomery:

Feb. 22: 86 degrees (2019)

Feb. 23: 85 degrees (2019)

Muscle Shoals:

Feb. 22: 79 degrees (1909)

Feb. 23: 83 degrees (2012)

Troy:

Feb. 22: 83 degrees (2018)

Feb. 23: 84 degrees (2018)

Tuscaloosa:

Feb. 22: 83 degrees (2018)

Feb. 23: 83 degrees (2012)

By Friday temperatures will cool off a bit as a cold front moves through the state. Highs on Friday will “only” be in the upper 50s and low 60s in north Alabama and the mid- to upper 60s in central Alabama. It is still expected to be warm across south Alabama, with temperatures forecast to reach the low 80s.

However the warmth is expected to return by Saturday, with highs in the 70s and 80s expected again statewide.

What about after that? The 8- to 14-day forecast from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center shows a 60-70 percent probability of above-average (for February) temperatures for most of the state through March 5:

8-14 day temp outlook

Alabama has a high probability of seeing above-average temperatures next week.

And the Week 3 to 4 forecast shows an increased probability (anywhere from 50-55 percent in north Alabama to 60-70 percent in south Alabama) that those above-average temperatures will hang around through March 17:

Week 3-4 temperatures

Alabama has a decent probability of seeing more above-average warmth well into March, with the southern part of the state having higher odds.