NEW YEARS EVE: Rounding out 2018 with a bang, a line of showers and storms will be likely to push across the region through the late morning into the afternoon hours. A few of the storms could be strong or severe; main threat being strong winds but an isolated, spin-up tornado can’t be ruled out. Ahead of the storms, highs will top out in the 70s amid a breezy southerly wind. Overnight, clouds will hang around though we should be dry heading toward midnight as lows drop into the 40s to lower 50s.
NEW YEARS DAY: Starting 2019 off fairly quietly; expect variably to mostly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s. A stray shower or two can’t be ruled out, but most of the day should be dry.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Yet another front stalled near the Gulf Coast will help to spread rain across the region by Wednesday and the approach of an upper disturbance will help to bring more rain and storms Thursday. Highs both days will be chilly, in the 50s. As the low lifts out, skies slowly clear Friday, more so into the weekend as highs rebound into the 60s by then.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx