Late Morning in Alabama–10:10am Report

Some amazing snow pictures coming in all morning. The snow has been extensive, especially across the northern third of the state where the ground was completely covered in some areas. Here is a selection of late reports:

* 4 inches of snow on the ground at Mentone atop Lookout Mountain.

* A number of reports of 2 to 3 inches of snow on the ridges of Blount and Etowah Counties, including Straight Mountain and Lookout Mountain.

* The coverage of the snow has shrunk somewhat and it will continue to diminish this afternoon. It may taper off to flurries as we get into the afternoon.

* We had a report earlier this morning of a few automobiles sliding off of the road near Ft. Payne.

* Shortly after 9:00 a.m., we got a report of very heavy snow in Atlanta along with thunder and lightning (yes, thundersnow).

* At 9:06, heavy snow three miles NE of Hayden in Blount County.

* A mix of rain with a few flakes on Highway 119 in Shelby County.

* At 9:13, the snow was beginning to stick to cars and the grass in the Adamsville area.

* A 9:16 report from Crestwood indicated heavy snow, but they had a 20-minute lull with only small flakes.

* At 9:32, heavy snow was reported in Gardendale with “big fat flakes.”

* At 9:34, close to 3 inches of snow had accumulated in Morgan County just south of the Huntsville area. Their driveway was very slippery.

* At 9:34, the snow seemed to be melting as it fell in the Lynn and Haleyville area of Winston County.

* Just before 10:00 a.m. the National Weather Service in Huntsville reported an accumulation of up to 5 inches near Mentone and several reports of 2 inches as far west as Moulton, Athens and Vinemont. (Vinemont is the location of Cullman Airport) NWS says that the heaviest precipitation is eroding across NW Alabama. Snow has changed to mostly rain in Lauderdale County.

RADAR CHECK
Only scattered light precipitation over the south half of Alabama, but from about Lamar, Fayette, Jefferson, Coosa and Tallapoosa Counties northward the precipitation is extensive. Most of the precipitation has ended over Mississippi and West/Central and SW Alabama are now getting a break.

SPOT REPORTS FROM HOURLY REPORTING STATIONS
Decatur…34, light snow
Huntsville…36, light snow
Cullman Airport…34, light snow
Ft. Payne…36, light snow
Atlanta…34, moderate snow with wind gusts to 28 mph
Birmingham…36, light snow
Chattanooga…33, moderate snow, visibility 1/2 mile
Nashville…35, light snow
Tupelo…38, light rain
Tuscaloosa…39, cloudy
Gulf Shores…38, cloudy

POSITION REPORT ON LOW-PRESSURE AREA
We have been watching the development and track of the low-pressure area since it started forming over Northern Mexico. Based on 10:00 a.m. reports, the low is now inland over North Florida between Tallahassee and Jacksonville. It will continue moving toward the east into the open waters of the Atlantic.

The forecast of this snow event seems to have been very much on track. The forecast had called for as much as 1 to 3 inches in NE Alabama and 1/2 to 1 inch further south. That appears to be pretty much on track. Forecasting snow is a hazard to your health, if you are a weather person. The big problem is the expansion of snow amounts if it is snow instead of rain. For example, only 1/10 of an inch of rain would equal a full inch of snow if it fell as snow. Those ratios vary depending on the moisture content.

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE SNOW?
(i am still looking for that person)
Take heart, we will see lots of sunshine Thursday and into the weekend. The ole tired thermometer may shoot for the upper 60s by Sunday!

IF YOU HAVE A SNOW ADDICTION?
(My poll shows 92% of Alabama residents!)
Move to Garrett County, Maryland. They have received 262.5 inches of snow this winter–an all time record!

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