Major winter impacts beginning Sunday evening

Editor’s note: The following was issued this morning by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. It gives a statewide look at the upcoming winter weather event. For local up-to-the-date information, stay tuned to local tv weather news and streaming broadcasts. They all do an excellent job in situations like this. Stay weather aware, take precautions now and stay safe. – John Few

By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency

STATEWIDE – Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for counties north of I-20. Advisories will be issued farther south in later updates.

The key message here is road impacts are possible whether or not you are in a Warning or Advisory with some slick spots even in south Alabama possible. There will likely be widespread, significant travel impacts near and north of I-20.  Road conditions could deteriorate immediately with the onset of wintry precipitation in many locations.

Motorists are advised to avoid travel if snowy or icy conditions develop and urged to monitor weather reports and check road conditions by visiting algotraffic.com or downloading the ALGO traffic app.

Reduce speed as conditions dictate, do not follow other vehicles closely, and refrain from sudden braking. State law requires motorists to slow down and move over when approaching highway maintenance crews or first responders at work.

Prepare your vehicle with a full gas tank and an emergency supply kit containing a phone charger, ice scraper, flashlight, jumper cables, blankets, non-perishable food, bottled water, and any other critical supplies.

ALDOT maintains state, U.S., and interstate highways. Check with local government agencies for conditions on city or county roads.

Remember, one accident can leave you in a potential traffic jam for hours, especially if winter precipitation is ongoing.

Precipitation will enter northwestern Alabama after 5 pm today, spread southward Monday into early Tuesday, and end by 12 pm Tuesday.  In the northwestern sections, the precipitation will be all snow, possibly mixed with sleet to start.  Southward to I-20, a mixture of snow and freezing rain is expected.  South of I-20 and possibly as far south as Mobile – Montgomery – Lafayette (Chambers County) line, light rain turning into light freezing rain or drizzle is forecast.

Very cold air will begin entering the state on Monday.

Here are the forecast temperatures:

Monday – Highs from the upper 20s north to middle 60s south. Lows from the middle teens north to middle 30s at the coast.

Tuesday – Highs from middle 20s north to lower 40s at the coast. Lows from single digits north to around 20 at the coast.  Wind chills from single digits to -10.

Wednesday – Highs from the lower 30s north to middle 40s at the coast. Lows from the middle teens north to upper 20s at the coast.

Thursday – Highs from the middle 40s north to the middle 50s at the coast. Lows from the upper 20s north to middle 40s at the coast.