An Update on the Alabama Weather Situation at 9:30 p.m.

Whenever we go into one of these wintry weather situations, I think back to all the potential snow events I awaited eagerly as a child. Most of the time, I was left with disappointment. Many will be disappointed with this one too, but some Alabamians will experience delight.

The difference between those events in the 60s and 70s with those of today is the information. Boy, do we have information today. Let use some of it right now.

Rain is falling across nearly every square inch of Alabama at this hour. There have been a couple of reports of sleet over the Tennessee Valley, but those are isolated.

To the west, colder air is filtering into Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Tennessee. The precipitation is snow over much of Arkansas and northern Louisiana at this hour. 2.5 inches of snow was reported at Mount Ida, AR near Hot Springs. Hot Springs has light snow and 32F at this hour. 9.5 inches of snow reported at Newton in Northwest Arkansas.

We have a surface low tracking across southwestern Alabama. Winds are gusty across much of the area from Louisiana/Arkansas across Mississippi, Alabama, and Northwest Florida. Winds were gusting to 24 mph last hour at BHM. It has been windier along the Gulf Coast. The winds just gusted to 40 mph on St. George Island near Apalachicola. Wind advisories cover much of Alabama, Georgia, and Northwest Florida. There is a high wind warning for much of Central and Northeastern Georgia. The NWS Atlanta warning that winds could gust to 50 mph and event 60 mph in places like Rome, Atlanta, Gainesville, and Athens.

Not much change in the thinking tonight. The models have been trending toward a little heavier snow, a little further south. The NAM shows fairly widespread 2-3 inch amounts in the winter weather advisory area, with some amounts in excess of 6 inches over Northeast Alabama.

There are places in Central Alabama that get nothing, while places further south might get a dusting to 1 inch. That is in line with our forecast.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Jackson and DeKalb Counties in Northeast Alabama. Winter weather advisories cover basically the northeastern third of the state, but not the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa metro areas.

Rain will change to snow over northern Alabama starting about 7 a.m. There could be some accumulations over Northeast Alabama by early afternoon.

Temperatures will fall slowly through the day tomorrow. Winds of 7-14 mph along with gusts to 20 mph will make it feel even colder.

Skies will clear late in the day and tomorrow night, with temperatures falling into the 20s. Black ice will be a problem on area roads where snow does accumulate.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Winter Weather