Alabama's Winter Colder than Normal

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's state climatologist says winter weather is making an early appearance this year. Climatologist John Christy of the University of Alabama in Huntsville says November was both cooler and drier than usual across the state. Huntsville was 4.9 degrees below normal for the month, followed by Birmingham at 4.6 degrees below normal. The chillier-than-normal weather extended into south Alabama, with Dothan more than 2 degrees off. Christy says Dothan's rainfall amount also was off the most, coming in at nearly 2.5 inches below normal. Tuscaloosa was next, getting 2.36 inches less rain than is usual for November. Parts of the state are abnormally dry, but weather officials say nowhere in the state is experiencing drought conditions.