Winds behind a strong cold front will contain gusts across the state from 25-35 mph through this afternoon. Snow showers or flurries will occur later this morning through the afternoon as far south as a Livingston – Montgomery – Auburn line. A few flurries will continue through tonight well north of I-20. Most locations will have no accumulation nor impacts, except for far northern Alabama where up to 0.5 inch is possible, mainly in grassy areas.
Highs today through Friday will range from the 30s north to 40s south. Low temperatures from Tuesday morning through Friday morning will be mostly in the 20s, but teens north to 20s south Thursday morning. A warmup will begin on Saturday. After starting the morning with 20s north to 30s south, highs will range from the 30s north to lower 50s south.
Wind chills from today through tonight will be in the teens and 20s.
Models have become consistent that precipitation will begin in southwestern Alabama Thursday evening, spread across the entire state after 12 am Friday and continue through Friday night.
The following is the forecast thinking right now, with still a lot of uncertainty:
Initially, a wintry mix may occur south of I-20 Thursday evening through early Friday, with mainly snow north of I-20. What is expected to occur will be a slow warming trend during the day on Friday, with temperatures potentially reaching 33-36 degrees south of I-20 by 12 pm. Temperatures north of I-20 may not get above freezing.
At this time, accumulating snow is expected north of I-20, with a mix of sleet, snow and/or freezing rain farther south. Just a 2-4 degree temperature change could mean the difference in winter precipitation locations and amounts, including freezing rain or a cold rain from Friday morning through the afternoon.
Regardless, what should be noted is any winter precipitation could impact roadways almost immediately upon starting due to how cold the pavements will be due to the cold temperatures this week. You should begin thinking about completing non-essential travel by Thursday afternoon, in case travel becomes difficult or impossible Thursday night into Friday.
