Temperatures are expected to drop to dangerously cold temperatures tonight, but by the middle of the week will warm up again.
Today the high will only reach 43, but it’s expected to feel much cooler with wind chills between 15 and 25, and a north wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Tonight, the low will dip to 20.
A hard freeze watch is in effect tonight for the area.
“A cold dome of very cold air will settle over the area Tuesday night and bring the coldest temperatures of the season to the area,” according to a statement from the National Weather Service. “Temperatures are expected to drop to around 20 across interior Southwest and South Central Alabama and the interior Northwest Florida Panhandle late Tuesday night, which will result in a hard freeze.”
The hard freeze watch will continue until Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service said the impact of temperatures near 20 degrees or colder could cause ruptured water pipes and kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
“A hard freeze watch means widespread temperatures at or below 20 degrees. Ensure that heating systems are functioning properly and pets have adequate shelter,” the release said. “To prevent freezing and bursting of outdoor water pipes, they should be wrapper, drained or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have inground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above ground pipes to protect them from freezing.”
Wednesday will warm up to around 55 degrees and Wednesday night, temps will linger around 37.
Temperatures will begin to warm up on Thursday with the high near 61, and the low around 39.
Friday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Rain is expected to move in by Friday night with a 20 percent chance of showers and a low of 51.
The forecast for Saturday and Sunday also calls for a 20 percent chance of showers.
As a means to help local residents who may be in need of a hot meal this weekend, the First Baptist Church-Opp’s men’s ministry is holding a “Soup for All Seasons” event.
Organizer Ronnie Sansom said the event is for “anyone who needs the hot meal.”
“We were looking for an opportunity to meet some needs in the community,” he said. “We hope to meet the need by providing a hot meal.”
Sansom said that while the men’s ministry is heading up the first-ever soup event, the church hopes that other ministries can come from it.
“We hope to put faces with the community,” he said. “And actually help out and minister.”
Sansom said the event will be held Sat., Dec. 31, from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the church.
“Anyone can come by and have a hot bowl of soup,” he said. “People are making a variety of soups.”
Sansom said anyone interested in donating drinks, preparing a pot of soup or making a monetary donation, can call the church at 493-3235.
Andalusia Star News
For local students, the Christmas break started out great with sunny skies and fair temperatures – the perfect weather for playing outside – but now, those dreaming of a wet Christmas just might get their wish this season. The rain made its debut Tuesday in Covington County, and according to the latest forecasts, it will hang around until the weekend. Above: Raygen and Cason Clarke enjoy the first day of Christmas break on Monday by playing outside their Andalusia home.
More than 300 people enjoyed Christmas lunch prepared are St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Sunday.
Now called Jo’s Community Dinners in honor of its founder Josephine Mosdell, who died earlier this year, the event drew one of its largest Christmas crowds ever.
“We were prepared for that number,” organizer Jan Morris said. “I’d say it was a huge success.”
Most of the meals were delivered, but a number of people enjoyed “dining in” at the church’s parish hall.
The event is hosted by St. Mary’s, but organizers rely on help from civic clubs, other churches and individuals from the community.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without people’s help,” she said.
The church organizes a similar meal on Thanksgiving.
Local residents might have a little more jingle in their pockets to spend on Christmas, as gas prices are down slightly this week at an average of $3.13 per gallon.
Gas prices are down 30 cents locally from six months ago, but still higher than this time last year.
Locally, Andalusia’s average is $3.13 per gallon, with the cheapest gas found at Cannon Oil and Murphy USA at $3.06 per gallon.
Opp’s average is $3.14 per gallon, down from last week. The cheapest gas was found at the Road Runner BP on Hwy. 84 and the Cummings Ave. Tom Thumb at $3.07 per gallon.
Florala’s average is higher than last week by a penny at $3.20 per gallon.
In North Alabama, places like Fort Payne are reporting gas a little as $2.99 a gallon. The state average is $3.09 per gallon.
However, Clay Ingram, AAA spokesperson said gas prices may drop a little bit more during December, but not much.
“There is a good chance for prices to drop some during January and February, as that is the normal trend,” he said. “But until the end of the year, I don’t think we’ll see much of a drop in prices.”
Still, the small decrease could be good news as the Labor Department said the consumer price index stayed flat last month, namely due to dropping gas prices, which in turn could bolster retail sales this holiday season.
This year, gas prices are down on average 70 to 80 cents from their peak, and those pennies are translating into a billion dollars, according to national economists.
Sageworks, Inc., a financial information company recently said that sales for private retailers have been increasing between 5 and 6 percent this year.
It is expected that those sales will continue to increase if consumers spend the cash they are saving on gas.
Nationally, New Mexico has the lowest gas prices at $2.90 a gallon, and Alaska has the highest at $4 per gallon.