Winter Weather Alert: Potential Snow and Ice Storm in Alabama
Alabama residents, brace yourselves! A powerful winter storm is on its way, bringing a mix of snow and ice to the state, particularly in the northern regions. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect and when.
The Impact Area:
The storm watch covers a vast area, including north-central, northwest, and northeast Alabama, as well as southern Middle Tennessee. This includes several counties and cities, such as:
- Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb, Cullman, Moore (TN), Lincoln (TN), and Franklin (TN)
- Cities: Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Decatur, Athens, Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Cullman, Gadsden, Jasper, Hamilton, Fayette, Guntersville, Arab, Albertville, and many more across the Tennessee Valley and north Alabama.
When to Expect the Weather:
- Saturday Morning: Freezing rain is likely to start in Northwest Alabama, with temperatures around 27-32 degrees. Ice accumulation is expected, but the afternoon warmth will melt much of it.
- Saturday Night to Sunday Morning: A CAD pattern (cold air damming) may bring colder air to Northeast Alabama, leading to freezing rain and ice. The rest of Alabama will experience rain due to warmer air at lower levels.
- Sunday Afternoon: As the surface low moves northeast, temperatures will drop, and precipitation will end. There's a chance of snow or freezing rain on the back end of the storm.
- Monday: Temperatures will plunge, with the northern half of Alabama experiencing 10-18 degrees by daybreak. Black ice is a real concern on roads, especially Sunday night and Monday morning.
Key Takeaways:
- The storm will likely bring rain to most of Alabama over the weekend due to warmer temperatures at lower levels.
- Three critical windows to watch for icing and potential issues: Saturday morning in Northwest Alabama, Saturday night in Northeast Alabama, and Sunday night/Monday morning across the northern half of the state.
- A winter storm watch is in effect for the northern third of Alabama, and specific impact forecasts will be available early the next day.
Stay tuned for updates, as this forecast can change. Remember, be prepared and stay safe during severe weather events!
