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Meteorologists, including Brewton’s Spinks Megginson, have predicted a wet and rainy end to 2020 and even some lingering storms into 2021.

That forecast has forced City of Brewton officials to cancel the fireworks display typically scheduled for midnight near downtown. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the annual Blueberry Drop event had been cancelled prior to this most recent decision.

According to Megginson on his RedZone Weather page, there is a low-end possibility of severe weather through 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve with the risk of severe weather increasing during the overnight hours.

In relating his forecast spanning the time from 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Megginson said:

“Severe weather hazards are most likely to happen (tonight) when we have the “greatest mixture” of surface-based instability, atmospheric shear, and moisture in place across the region. We’ll be watching a developing squall line/QLCS develop to our west today. This line of storms will cross our region in the overnight hours. The concern is that some of the storms out ahead of this line of storms could be severe. Tornadoes will be possible. In addition, damaging ‘straight line’ winds are also possible in the stronger storms that fire up and of course in the main line of storms. Rain could be quite heavy at times, and flash flooding is a possibility if storms begin training over the same areas.”

Extended forecasts from other sources show a 70% chance of rain through New Year’s Eve and another 70% chance of rain on New Year’s Day. The temperature on Friday is expected to reach 74. Into Friday night, the low will only dip to 51 with a diminished chance of showers at 25%.

On Saturday, Jan. 2, we can see the clouds begin to move out and only a 25% chance of rain. The high will be 66 with an overnight low of 40.

On Sunday, Jan. 3, sunny conditions return with no mention of rain and slightly cooler temperatures. Expect a high on Sunday of 61 with an overnight low of 36.

Looking ahead to the first work day of the new year, Monday is calling for a beautiful day of sunshine with a high of 66 and an overnight low of 38.

The next chance at temperatures near or below the freezing point will not be until around Jan. 17 when we can expect some temperatures at or below the 32 degree mark.