A large portion of the United States will be impacted by this weekend's winter storm, bringing snow, ice, wintry mix, tricky travel conditions, and dangerous wind chill values to 34 states.

The Townsquare Media Weather Center has been monitoring this developing winter weather system all week. We are focused on the following areas: those West Alabama counties in the Winter Weather Advisory, Influx of Rain, Extreme Cold, Dangerous Wind Chill Values, and Road Conditions.

Saturday – Sunday Outlook

Now through Sunday evening, those Alabama counties under the Winter Weather Advisory may experience icy conditions, with periods of wintry precipitation mixing with plain rain.

There are no West Alabama counties in the “Ice Storm Warning” area, but there are already reports of difficult travel and numerous accidents in the warning area.

The potential for severe weather on Sunday is limited to areas near and southeast of Interstate 85. These locations are under a “Marginal Risk” level for severe thunderstorms on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The primary threats are damaging winds and isolated, brief tornadoes. Currently, no Townsquare Media Coverage Area counties are included in this risk zone.

Rain Chances

For today, rain chances across West Alabama range from 60% to 90%, increasing to a 100% chance tonight for every West Alabama county. By Sunday, rain is expected statewide, with all West Alabama counties once again at 100% chance.

Extreme Cold

“Rain will end tomorrow evening, and with temperatures falling quickly tomorrow night, black ice is possible over the northern half of the state Monday morning with temperatures in the teens and low 20s,” said James Spann, Alabama Weather Network and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said, “Cold conditions will move in behind the weather system and persist throughout next week.”

West Alabama residents could experience dangerously cold wind chill values as low as 3 degrees. Ouch!

This could mean questionable conditions. Wet roads and walkways, combined with temperatures dropping below freezing, could lead to slick spots, including the formation of ice (black ice).

Current West Alabama Watches and Advisories