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Widespread rain and potentially high wind gusts are heading for Alabama this weekend with the coldest air of the season being projected for next week. 

According to the National Weather Service, rain will spread over Alabama Friday night into Saturday morning with rain in Southeast Alabama going into Saturday evening. Some thunderstorms are also expected to develop with some wind gusts of up to 40 MPH projected on Saturday, as well. A total rainfall between 0.5 and 1.5 inches is expected over the weekend.

This weather will lead into what is expected to be the coldest air of the season beginning Sunday. On Monday, Jan. 20, and Tuesday, Jan. 12, highs in Southern Alabama be in the 30s with lows ranging in the 20s. Areas north of I-20 are not expected to get above freezing from Sunday through Wednesday morning. 

National Weather Service models are tracking a low pressure system that is expected to develop and move across the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday through Thursday with two potential scenarios most likely. 

The first scenario is for the low pressure system to travel eastward across the Gulf closer to the coast, which would bring a statewide threat of wintry precipitation – or snow – most likely Tuesday into Wednesday. 

The second scenario is for the low pressure system to end up well into the southern Gulf and far away from the coast. This would greatly decrease any winter precipitation potential, but would extend the very cold temperatures well into the latter part of the week. 

The National Weather Service emphasizes that forecasts and models will continue to change as the weekend draws closer, but are trying to get as much information out to the public as possible ahead of what will likely be one of the coldest weeks of the year in Alabama.