01/20/2025
SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The leading edge of the Arctic airmass is moving into Northwest Alabama; Florence is down to 43 degrees with a north wind.
Key messages tonight concerning the cold and snow threat...
*Temperatures will stay below freezing for much of North Alabama all day tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday. Lows will be in the 12-18 degree range by early Monday morning. Be prepared for 4-5 days of very cold Arctic air.
*Snow showers/flurries are likely in the cold air over North Alabama tomorrow, but widespread impact is not expected. However, there could be a few icy spots where heavier snow showers develop.
*A winter storm will bring snow in a broad zone from Houston, Texas to the Delaware. For Alabama and the adjacent states, it happens Tuesday and Tuesday night.
*Winter storm watches are in effect from Southeast Texas, through much of Louisiana and into Central and South Mississippi. A winter storm watch will be issued for much of Central and South Alabama later tonight or very early tomorrow morning.
*Snow will likely move into West and Southwest Alabama by mid to late morning Tuesday... becoming widespread during the afternoon and evening hours. Most of the snow will be over by 9-10 p.m.
*Higher snow totals will be over the southern half of Alabama, where 2-4 inches are likely. The Gulf Coast will see a mix of snow and sleet, but some snow accumulation is likely for places like Mobile and Pensacola.
*The most challenging part of the forecast tonight remains defining the northern extent of snow. For now it continues to look like that will be near I-59 (Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Gadsden). The northern third of Alabama will see little, and perhaps no snow at all. It is a very close call for the Birmingham metro.
*With the cold infrastructure snow will quickly accumulate on road surfaces, making travel very hazardous Tuesday. While the snow will end Tuesday night, icy travel problems will linger into the day Wednesday, and possibly Thursday morning where snow accumulates.
*I will have a new video briefing up early tomorrow morning.... stay tuned!
