Wintry Precipitation Moves Southward Tonight Along With Arctic Air

RADAR CHECK: Widespread snow continues along and north of the Tennessee River this afternoon, with a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain just to the south.

A winter storm warning remains in effect for areas north of a line from Winfield to Cullman to Fort Payne through tonight. The winter weather advisory to the south has been expanded; it is now in effect as far south and east as Mobile, Bretton, Lurverne, Montgomery, Lake Martin, and Roanoke.

Here are the key messages this afternoon….

*Most of the accumulating snow continues along and north of the Tennessee River where 2-4 inch totals are likely. Parts of Lauderdale County have received over six inches of snow so far. Light snow accumulation is possible as far south as Hamilton, Cullman, and Fort Payne.

*South of the Tennessee River, freezing rain and drizzle will be the primary issue tonight. This is precipitation that falls in liquid form when surface temperatures are below 32 degrees. It can bring a glaze of ice to exposed surfaces, including bridges and some roads.

*Roads are icy and hazardous over North Alabama in the winter storm warning area now, with temperatures in the teens in many areas.

*Icy bridges and roads are possible along the I-59 corridor (Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Gadsden) beginning tonight in the 7-10 p.m. time frame. Temperatures will drop rapidly after midnight into the teens.

*Icy spots are possible on bridges south of I-59 after midnight tonight in the winter weather advisory area.

*For now we are not expecting enough ice for widespread power outages.

*Temperatures will remain well below freezing over much of North/Central Alabama through the late morning hours Wednesday, so travel conditions won’t improve much until then.

*This cold wave will be similar to that of December 2022. Lows will drop into the teens both tomorrow and Wednesday morning, with single digit lows likely over the northern third of the state early Wednesday. Wind chill values will be very low, below zero at times tomorrow, tomorrow night, and early Wednesday. Temperatures reach the upper teens along the Gulf Coast Wednesday morning.

-Learn how to shut off water valves for potential pipe bursts.
-Check on the elderly and others that might not have an adequate heat source.
-Bring pets inside.

LATER THIS WEEK: Temperatures rise into the upper 40s and low 50s Thursday, but another batch of Arctic air invades the state Thursday night and Friday. Some rain is possible ahead of the Arctic surge Thursday night; a “wintry mix” is possible near the Tennessee state line.

The sky will clear on Friday with highs only in the 30s over the northern half of the state, with low 40s to the south. A brisk north wind will make it feel colder.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The weekend will be dry but very cold. Lows will be in the teens for most places Saturday and Sunday morning. North Alabama will stay below freezing all day Saturday. Temperatures rise into the 40s Sunday afternoon as we begin to dig out of the deep freeze.

NEXT WEEK: The pattern flips, and we will be in the 60s by mid-week. Global models suggest rain will return to the state by Thursday… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 1967: The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10, in Super Bowl I at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. From the weather station at the USC campus in downtown LA, the high temperature was 79 degrees, and the low was 51. There was a light west wind.

Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…

Tags: ANC, cold, featured, ice

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