Another typical messy Alabama wintertime forecast…
There is a threat of icing on area roads in the morning, especially bridges and overpasses. The NWS has posted a Winter Weather Advsory for all of North and much of Central Alabama. It extends as far south as Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Bill, Chilton, Coosa, Clay and Randolph Counties.
The best threat for icing appears to extend east from Marion and Lamar Coutnies through Fayette and Walker, into Cullman and Blount, as well as northern Jefferson County then over into St. Clair, Etowah, Calhoun and Cleburne Counties. The NWS debated upgrading to an Ice Storm Warning for those counties, but has held off at this time.
Scattered problems could develop to the south of the aforementioned counties, hence the southern extent of the Advisory.
Temperatures are expected to drop to near or below freezing across much of the advisory area as a result of evaporative cooling from precipitation showing up now on radar over North Mississippi and North Alabama. The precipitation is not reaching the ground for the most part, even though there could be come sleet or a light wintry mix overnight.
Precipitation should increase from the west, starting over western sections around daybreak, progressing to the I-65 corridor around 8 a.m. and into East Alabama thereafter. With temperatures near or below freezing, freezing rain is very possible. Temperatures are expected to hover near 32 degrees for much of the day in the advisory area. This could present travel and mobility probllems.
The good news is that the icing does not appear to be significant enough to cause power problems.
Temperatures are already below freezing over parts of the Tennessee Valley, and they could see mostly snow. At places like Hamilton, Jasper, Cullman and Gadsden, readings are in the middle to upper 30s At Birmingham it was 40. It was 33 at Ashville and 29 at Vigo. 34 at Altoona.
So, bottom line, get up early and check the latest conditions before you head out to work or school. We will have the latest here and on ABC3340 through the night and tomorrow morning. Look for another update here about 3 a.m.
