Hard Freeze & Wind Chill Watches Issued for Much of the Area

NWS Birmingham has issued a HARD FREEZE WATCH valid from 12 am on Friday to 9 am Sunday for the following counties in Central Alabama: Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.

Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 5 to 12 will be possible in northern portions of Central Alabama. Temperatures as low as 10 to 15 will be possible in southern portions of Central Alabama. Temperatures remain below freezing from late Thursday night until at least midday Sunday. Far northern portions of Central Alabama may remain below freezing until Monday.

Potential Impacts: A prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures may cause pipes to burst. Bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills will result in hypothermia and become life-threatening to those with prolonged exposure or without access to adequate warmth.

Take steps to ensure people and animals have access to adequate warmth. Ensure that space heaters or other alternative heating sources are at least three feet from anything flammable, are not left unattended, and have sufficient ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you are traveling make sure you have an emergency supply kit in your car.

To prevent freezing and possible bursting of water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

NWS Huntsville has issued a WIND CHILL WATCH valid from Thursday 6 pm to Saturday 12 am for the following counties in North Alabama: Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan.

NWS Birmingham has also issued a WIND CHILL WATCH valid from Friday 12 am to Saturday 12 pm for the following counties in Central Alabama: Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.

Dangerously cold wind chills possible, wind chills between 0º and -10º. The dangerously cold wind chills could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.

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