COLDER TODAY: With a mostly sunny sky, expect a high in the upper 40s over the Tennessee Valley this afternoon, with 50s for the rest of the state. These temperatures are about 5-8 degrees colder than yesterday.

But tomorrow will be warmer; most of Alabama will enjoy a high in the 60s with a partly to mostly sunny sky. Highs remain in the 60s on Saturday, but clouds will increase, and there could be a few spotty showers over the southwest counties. Some light rain is possible statewide Saturday night ahead of a strong Arctic cold front.

INTO THE DEEP FREEZE: A bitterly cold Arctic airmass will roll into the Deep South Sunday, easily the coldest so far this season. For most of the state, temperatures will fall through the 30s, and the Tennessee Valley will be in the 20s all day. A strong north wind will make it feel colder; wind chill index values will be in the single digits Sunday night over North Alabama.

By daybreak Monday, air temperatures will be in the teens along and north of I-20, with 20s for the rest of the state, including the Gulf Coast. A warming trend begins Monday with highs in the 37-47 degree range.

REST OF NEXT WEEK: The warm-up continues with highs in the 60s for much of the state by Thursday and Friday. A few showers are also possible late in the week, but it doesn’t look like a big rain event. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

CHRISTMAS? There is no skill in a specific forecast beyond 7-10 days, but there is some skill at pattern recognition, and all global models suggest that temperatures will be above average across the Deep South on December 25 this year.

ON THIS DATE IN 1961: A tornado tore through Jacksonville. There was considerable damage on the JSU campus and in the surrounding community; no fatalities, but some people were trapped in damaged buildings. This tornado was down for about three miles.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.