COLD: Temperatures are generally between 25 and 32 degrees over the northern half of Alabama early this morning, with mid 30s down into the southern counties. Expect sunshine in full force today with a high in the low to mid 50s this afternoon. The average high for Birmingham on Dec. 12 is 58.

Friday will be another sunny day with a high in the mid to upper 50s.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The day Saturday will be dry with a high between 58 and 63 degrees. Clouds will increase by afternoon, and a few periods of rain are likely over the northern half of the state Saturday night. Sunday looks dry for much of Alabama, although showers will remain possible for the Tennessee Valley. Sunday will feature a high in the low to mid 60s.

NEXT WEEK: Monday should be the warmest day of the week, with highs in the mid to upper 60s. We will have a risk of showers Monday night and then again during the day Thursday. Highs will be in the low to mid 60s Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by upper 50s Thursday and low 50s Friday.

CHRISTMAS: There’s no skill in a specific forecast beyond 10 days, but there is some skill at pattern recognition. For now, it looks like we will experience temperatures near average for late December, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s on Dec. 25. Of course, this could change. It’s too early to know whether there will be any threat of rain, but we are very confident in saying we won’t have any snow this year (which is the case almost every year around here).

ON THIS DATE IN 1962: A mass of very cold Arctic air settled into the Deep South. Birmingham’s low was 4 degrees, which still stands as the record low for the date. Huntsville dropped to 3 degrees that morning. Montgomery’s low was 9.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.

Alabama women’s tennis signed Virginia transfer Zara Larke on Wednesday. Larke will join the Crimson Tide for the 2025 spring season after spending two years with the Cavaliers.

“We’re excited to have Zara join our team,” Alabama women’s tennis head coach Jonatan Berhane said in a press release. “Her previous collegiate tennis experience will be a great asset. She’s eager to compete for Alabama, and I am confident she’ll be an excellent teammate, both on and off the court. Roll Tide!”

Here’s a list of some of Larke’s tremendous accomplishments:

“I’m very excited to join the Alabama women’s tennis team and beyond grateful for this opportunity,” Larke said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success and representing Alabama. Roll Tide!”

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December 12, 1925: Alabama officially accepted an invitation to participate in the Rose Bowl vs. Washington, which at the time was known as the Purple Tornadoes. Coach Wallace Wade’s team told Rose Bowl officials it would accept the bid December 4. Alabama planned leave Tuscaloosa on December 19 and travel through St. Louis, Kansas City and the Grand Canyon before arriving in Pasadena for the Jan. 1 game.

December 12, 1986: Alabama coach Ray Perkins and Tampa Bay owner Hugh Culverhouse vehemently denied that Perkins would be leaving Alabama to become the new head coach of the Buccaneers.

December 12, 2009: Running back Mark Ingram Jr. won Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy.

December 12, 2015: Running back Derrick Henry won Alabama’s second Heisman Trophy.

“The legacy of Alabama football certainly had a void filled”

–– Nick Saban after Mark Ingram Jr. won the Heisman Trophy on this date in 2009

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs handed Duncanville High School quarterback Keelon Russell the 2024 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Award on Tuesday.

Duncanville is about 40 miles south of the NFL team’s headquarters in Frisco, Texas, and the former Alabama standout made the trip to meet the quarterback who signed earlier this month to play for the Crimson Tide.

Diggs and the Cowboys have four more games remaining on their regular-season schedule while Russell and Duncanville have reached the semifinals of the University Interscholastic League Class 6A Division I playoffs. In the highest classification of high school football in Texas, the undefeated Panthers will square off against undefeated North Crowley on Saturday for a spot in the state-championship game.

“This is a great opportunity,” Diggs told Russell. “You worked hard, for sure. Putting your head down, working hard, you see where it got you, so I just want you to keep that same mindset, especially going into college. Keep your head down, work, don’t worry about nothing, focus on you and make sure you get that work done.”

ALABAMA FOOTBALL SIGNEE KEELON RUSSELL WINS GATORADE NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Six winners of the award have gone on to become first-round selections in the NFL Draft. Diggs indicated he expected to be playing against Russell in the pros.

“You’re a great player,” Diggs said. “That’s a great award. You’re going to go far. I’m going to see you soon.”

The award announcement came on Wednesday with Russell selected over the other two finalists, running back Alvin Henderson of Elba High School and offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell of Nixa (Missouri) High School.

Russell signed with Alabama on Dec. 4, the first day of the early signing period for the 2025 recruiting class.

After meeting a future Alabama quarterback, Diggs will play against a former Crimson Tide quarterback when the Cowboys take on Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers at noon CST Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.