Low temperatures are expected to dip below freezing before a frontal system enters the area Monday, the National Weather Service reported Thursday.

Weekend temperatures will range from highs in the low- to mid-50s to morning lows around 30, NWS meteorologist Holly Britton said.

Early next week, however, a southerly flow should bring temperatures back to near normal.

“The big difference people will feel will be overnight Monday night when the temperature rises to the low- to mid-40s,” Britton said.

For those wondering about the possibility of snow, she said there is no mention of flurries in the seven-day forecast for Central Alabama.

“It looks like temperatures are going to be above freezing. It’s going to be too warm to get any frozen precipitation,” Britton said.

A potential three-fourths to an inch of rain from next week’s front is good news for the drought situation.

Most of Chilton County is included in a moderate drought that stretches across northeast Alabama. The moderate drought, or D1 level according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, is the second level of drought after abnormally dry.

“A drought situation tends to be long-term,” Britton said. “Any rain is welcome, but it takes rain over a course of weeks or even months to alleviate that drought.”