Warming Stations Open In Birmingham Ahead Of Cold Week

BIRMINGHAM, AL — After seeing record-breaking high temperatures in October, Birmingham prepares for some frigid weather this week, and the City of Birmingham is setting up a warming station ahead of the freezing temperatures.

The warming station will be at Boutwell Auditorium (1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd) and will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Meteorologist James Spann said temperatures will settle into the low to mid 30s early Tuesday morning and will stay there all day with a strong north wind of 12-22 mph, making it feel colder. The wind chill index will be below freezing all day, Spann said.

As the cold air rushes into the state, Spann said there is a chance the light rain could end as sleet or freezing rain Tuesday morning. "This will be short-lived, and considering the warm soil temperatures and brief window, we expect no impact," Spann said. "The big story is the cold air."

Spann added, "The sky will clear Tuesday night, and by Wednesday morning we project a low between 18 and 24 degrees over north and central Alabama. Birmingham’s record low for Nov. 13 is 22, set in 1911; that record is in danger."