Winter Storm Warning For Northwest Alabama
HERE WE GO AGAIN: A winter storm warning is in effect late this afternoon and tonight for Lamar, Marion, Winston, Franklin, Lawrence, Colbert, Lauderdale, and Limestone counties in Northwest Alabama… a winter weather advisory is in effect for Pickens, Fayette, and Walker counties.
Clouds will thicken across Alabama today ahead of the storm system, and precipitation will reach the northwest counties by late afternoon. Initially, this will be in the form of sleet and snow for most counties in the winter storm warning area, with a gradual change to mostly sleet and freezing rain. Snow and sleet totals of 2-3 inches are possible around Florence and Muscle Shoals, and 1-2 inches over the rest of the winter storm warning area. This, of course, is on top of the ice and snow from the event earlier in the week.
For Pickens, Fayette, and Walker county, it is a very close call, but there is potential for a “wintry mix” of sleet and snow for a brief time before it all changes to rain tonight.
For most of the state, it will be a cold, soaking rain tonight with temperatures in the 35-45 degree range. Rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches are likely.
SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TO THE SOUTH: Unstable air will move up into far South Alabama tonight, and SPC has defined a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms for Mobile and Baldwin counties, with a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) up to U.S. 84. A few storms could produce strong winds, and an isolated tornado can’t be ruled out. Be sure you have a good way of hearing warnings if you are in South Alabama tonight.
TOMORROW: The risk of severe storms will persist over the southeast corner of the state… elsewhere the day will be cloudy and cold with some lingering light rain, or a few snow flurries possible. Temperatures will range from the upper 30s over the Tennessee Valley to the 60s across Southeast Alabama. Scattered flurries are possible tomorrow night over North Alabama as another surge of colder air pushes southward into the state.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Friday will be dry; the sky will be partly sunny with a high between 38 and 45. Temperatures drop into the 18-25 degree range early Saturday morning, but after that a warming trend headlines the forecast. With a good supply of sunshine, we expect a high in the mid 50s Saturday, followed by low 60s Sunday.
NEXT WEEK: A few showers are possible Monday morning with a passing surface front, but most of the week looks dry and much warmer. Highs will be mostly in the 60s, with lows in the 40s. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1958: From the 14th through the 17th, one of the most significant snowstorms of the mid 20th century struck the northeastern U.S. The storm produced 30 inches of snow in the interior of New England, including more than 19 inches in 24 hours at the Boston Airport. The same storm produced up to three feet of snow in the Middle Atlantic Coast Region, with 14 inches at Washington D.C., and 15.5 inches in Baltimore, Maryland. The storm resulted in 43 deaths and 500 million dollars damage over the Middle Atlantic Coast States.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
About the Author (Author Profile)
James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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