Winter Weather, Snow to Impact West Alabama Today [VIDEO]
Tuscaloosa could see up to an inch of snow today as winter weather makes its way across West Alabama. There's no way to predict the exact amount of snow accumulation in our listening area; the National Weather Service in Birmingham's forecast shows we could see anything from a light dusting to an inch of snow.
Rain will transition into snowfall today as temperatures fall across the state. Temps will be at or close to freezing before sunset in West Alabama.
Temperatures are falling faster than originally forecast, which could present travel problems today. This also means the transition from rain to snow will happen earlier today. Take a look at the estimated timeline from the National Weather Service.
Travel conditions will become dangerous this evening if we see snowfall in West Alabama. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 6 am tomorrow. The text of the advisory is as follows:
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY... * TIMING...RAIN CHANGING TO SNOW THIS MORNING ACROSS NORTHWEST CENTRAL ALABAMA COUNTIES AND TRANSITIONING EASTWARD THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. * LOCATION...ALONG AND NORTH OF A LINE FROM CARROLLTON...TO CALERA...TO WEDOWEE. * ACCUMULATIONS...UP TO ONE INCH OF SNOWFALL WILL BE POSSIBLE WHERE SNOW BANDS ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
We are also under a Wind Advisory until 6am Saturday. You can read the NWS message below:
...WINDY CONDITIONS EXPECTED ACROSS ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA... .AS THE STORM SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MOVE THROUGH CENTRAL ALABAMA...GRADIENT WINDS WILL INCREASE AHEAD AND BEHIND THE MAIN UPPER LOW ITSELF. WINDS WILL BE STRONG AT TIMES WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WITH THE RAINS THAT FELL OVER THE AREA...THE GROUND IS SATURATED AND STRONGER WINDS COULD TAKE A WEAK TREE AND LARGE LIMBS DOWN AT ANY POINT. WINDS WILL LIKELY REMAIN QUITE HIGH THROUGH MIDNIGHT... BEFORE FINALLY CALMING SOME AS THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM EXITS THE AREA.
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT. * TIMING...THROUGH MIDNIGHT. * WINDS...WILL BE 15 TO 25 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. * IMPACTS...OF THE STRONGER WINDS COULD TAKE WEAK TREES DOWN AS WELL AS LARGER LIMBS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 25 TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.
We will keep you updated with the latest forecast information as well as school and business closings. You can view the latest Weather Xtreme Video from James Spann below.