Winter temperatures will be the story in Alabama through the weekend, according to National Weather Service forecasts.

Several cold nights are ahead before a warming trend begins next week. Temperatures are expected to be warmer for Christmas Day.

Today highs will be chilly in north and central Alabama as a dry cold front pushes through the state and brings another dose of cold air.

Highs will only reach the mid-40s in north Alabama today, according to weather service forecasts. Central Alabama highs will range from the low 50s in the north to the upper 50s in the south, which won’t get the benefit of that secondary dose of cold air.

Here are today’s expected high temperatures:

The place to be today for more warmth is to the south. South Alabama highs will be in the low to mid-60s.

Tonight will be colder than this morning was. Lows will bottom out in the mid- to upper 20s in north Alabama. Central Alabama will range from the upper 20s to around 30 degrees. Even south Alabama will be cold, with lows in the 30s there.

Here are tonight’s expected lows:

Saturday is expected to be colder than today statewide, with many places only reaching the 40s for highs. Here is the forecast for Saturday:

Saturday night will likely be the coldest one of the weekend. Lows will fall to the low 20s in north Alabama. Central Alabama will likely see the mid-20s. And freezing temperatures are also expected in south Alabama. (Saturday night’s forecast lows are at the top of this post.)

A slow warming trend will begin on Sunday, with temperatures rising a degree or two each day into next week.

Here are the forecast highs for Sunday:

Sunday night will be cold, but not as cold as Saturday. Here’s the forecast for low temperatures from Sunday night into Monday morning:

The chill will continue to back off going into next week.

Warmer temperatures are also expected on Christmas Day, with highs reaching the 60s for much of the state.

Here’s the Christmas forecast: