Arctic Air Arrives After the Weekend: What to Expect and How to Prepare Your Home for the Coming Freeze
By Savannah Logan
After several days of gloomy skies, Alabama is finally seeing clearer mornings and brighter weather. Meteorologist James Spann reports that clouds have thinned across most of the state, making way for sunshine and afternoon highs in the 50s. The remainder of the week is expected to stay dry and seasonable, with northern counties reaching the 50s and the southern half warming into the 60s today and Friday. Morning temperatures will continue to dip into the 30s, bringing a crisp start to each day without extreme cold.
Earlier this week, long-range models hinted at a sharp surge of arctic air arriving this weekend, raising concerns about a sudden drop into bitter temperatures. Spann now notes that these models have backed away from that initial prediction. Instead, the coldest air is expected to hold off until late Sunday night into Monday, and even then, the core of the arctic outbreak should remain positioned north of Alabama. As a result, Saturday and Sunday will feel more like a typical December weekend. Cloud cover will likely dominate both days, and northern portions of the state may see pockets of light rain Sunday ahead of the incoming front. Once the front moves through, temperatures will fall quickly, with most areas dropping into the upper 20s to low 30s by Monday morning under clearing skies. Earlier predictions of teens for North Alabama now appear unlikely. Dry weather is expected to return early next week, though rain may make a comeback by Wednesday night or Thursday.
With colder mornings just a few days away, now is an ideal time for Alabamians to prepare their homes for the first meaningful freeze of the season. Ensuring proper insulation throughout the house can significantly improve warmth retention; checking attics, walls, and crawl spaces and reinforcing insulation where needed can help conserve heat and lower energy costs. Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and vents with weatherstripping, caulk, or foam insulation will also keep cold drafts at bay.
Homeowners should take time to make sure their heating systems are in top shape. Scheduling a professional inspection, replacing air filters regularly, and considering the installation of a programmable thermostat can improve both efficiency and comfort. Protecting plumbing is especially important during freezing conditions. Wrapping exposed pipes in insulation or heating tape, particularly in unheated areas such as basements, garages, and attics, can prevent costly damage.
During especially cold nights, allowing faucets to drip slightly can keep water moving and reduce the risk of pipes freezing.
Outdoor preparation is just as essential. Cleaning gutters and downspouts helps prevent ice dams and water backup, while trimming tree branches near the home reduces the likelihood of storm-related damage if heavy snow or ice accumulates. Families should also prepare a basic emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, blankets, non-perishable food, water, and first aid supplies in case of power outages. Those who own generators should check them ahead of time and always operate them safely outdoors and away from windows. For homes with fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, a professional chimney inspection and cleaning ensures proper ventilation and reduces fire risk.
Finally, disconnecting garden hoses, turning off outdoor faucets, and making sure snow removal tools are accessible will help prevent outdoor damage as temperatures fall.
Preparing your home for winter weather is one of the simplest ways to protect your property and keep your household comfortable and safe. With arctic air now expected to arrive after the weekend rather than during it, residents have a welcome window of time to get ready before the coldest mornings of the season so far settle in.
