Alabama Sees Minor Adjustment in Potential Winter Weather Impacts

As we continue to monitor the possibility of a winter storm this weekend, the National Weather Service in Birmingham has made minor shifts to the projected areas and levels of potential winter weather impacts.

Now, as always, I like to stress the importance that this is a developing system tracking west of Alabama, so the outlook could change. It’s always best to use current weather information.

Key Messages from the NWS

• Parts of Central Alabama are poised to be affected by cold rain and/or an icy wintry mix.
• The greatest risk for impacts is north of Interstate 20, but especially toward and north of Highway 278, where a Winter Storm Watch is in effect.
• A frigid air mass will move in behind the storm system Sunday night through Tuesday night with low temperatures as low as the single digits and teens.

Recent Trends

As warmer air moves in at lower levels, a good portion of Alabama, outside of the Winter Weather Watch area, is expected to see rain as the primary precipitation type. However, there are three areas that concern James Spann, Alabama Weather Network, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist.

1. Icing across Northwest Alabama Saturday morning at the onset of the event
2. Icing across Northeast Alabama Saturday night (cold air damming)
3. Black ice on roads across the northern half of Alabama Sunday night and Monday morning.

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Tomorrow morning, there will be more information on the incoming system that will affect several states before it even arrives in Alabama. Also, insight into those bitterly cold temperatures.

Mary K. – Weather Forecaster