Radar returns are starting to show up over eastern Mississippi, edging into western Alabama this evening.
Jim Higgins at Northfork in Marion County has 33F. It is 38F at Florence, 34F at Haleyville, Tupelo has 32F with mist. Columbus is at 35F with light snow. Closer to Birmingham, it’s 41F at the Airport, 41F at Calera and 40F at Tuscaloosa.
A recent report from Starkville says snow is coming down heavily there.
But the surface temperatures will not tell the story in this one. It is the very cold air aloft associated with an upper level low. That low was dropping through Arkansas tonight. To its east, it will produce a band of snowfall. Amounts should generally be in the 1-2 inch range with some higher amounts, probably north and east of Birmingham.
A winter weather advisory is in effect overnight for counties from Birmingham to the northwest. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Tennessee Valley where 1-2 inches of snow may fall overnight. We have a winter storm watch for Sunday morning.
But it is still a developing weather situation. radar will become our most important tool later tonight and tomorrow morning.
JB and James will be with you through the overnight with updates and notes on the blog. The whole team will be around at 5 in the morning for a live weathercast on television.
