ALDOT: Icy, snowy conditions may persist; motorists warned against nonessential travel through Friday
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency advise motorists that existing icy conditions on roads across much of north Alabama may be prolonged by temperatures near or below freezing and additional frozen precipitation, potentially making travel hazardous until the end of the week.
Forecasts indicate that parts of northwest Alabama may not see high temperatures above freezing until Friday afternoon. Areas of north-central Alabama may only reach highs in the mid-30s Wednesday. Another round of snow and/or freezing rain is anticipated Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, adding to existing snow and ice accumulation.
Travel on all routes in the affected areas remains hazardous. Motorists are strongly advised not to travel except in case of emergency.
ALDOT crews continue to work to clear roads and treat ice. In Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, and western Lawrence counties, at least one lane in each direction remains passable on primary four-lane routes, while most two-lane routes are impassable. For most of eastern Lawrence, Morgan, Limestone, Cullman, Madison, Marshall, Jackson, Dekalb, Etowah and Cherokee counties, state routes remain passable, but icy conditions exist, generally lessening in severity across the state from west to east. Parts of U.S. 231 (Memorial Parkway) and Alabama 255 (Research Park Boulevard) were closed by Huntsville police overnight but reopened this morning following aggressive treatment by ALDOT crews.
Although ALDOT does its best to pre-treat areas where ice is possible, and to respond with additional treatment throughout a winter weather event, motorists should consider all roads and bridges hazardous during freezing conditions and wintry precipitation. The best safety measure is to remain at home until conditions improve.
Stay weather-aware by monitoring the news and the National Weather Service in your area for the latest weather information. Check road conditions through local news media and ALGOtraffic.com or by downloading the ALGO Traffic app, available online in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Check with local county or municipal governments for conditions on county and local roads.
If traveling, beware of hazardous conditions, and reduce speed as conditions dictate. Please slow down and move over if possible when approaching ALDOT and other highway maintenance personnel or emergency responders at work. Take preparedness steps such as carrying a kit including a car charger, ice scraper, jumper cables and blankets, as well as food, water and other critical supplies. For the latest preparedness tips visit www.ema.alabama.gov.
