Issued at 6:00 a.m. on 1/16/2018 – Below is the latest information from the NWS office in Birmingham on the snow potential and very cold temperatures for late today into Thursday.
The potential for light to moderate snow exists across all of central Alabama beginning this afternoon/evening through the early hours tomorrow. Snow accumulations are currently expected to be less than two inches. Due to very cold temperatures moving into the area with this front, significant impacts will likely result despite relatively light snow amounts. Travel conditions and very cold temperatures are the primary concerns and travel is expected to become difficult or impossible in some cases.
Below you will find the latest Hazardous Weather Outlook along with a graphic issued by the NWS office in Birmingham that outlines the potential impacts we may see along with the forecast timing of this event. For Elmore County this will be a late evening/overnight event tonight into Wednesday morning with temperatures being bitterly cold through Thursday.
A Hard Freeze Watch is in effect for Elmore County from this evening through Thursday morning. Temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing Tuesday evening and drop into the mid-teens Wednesday morning and not rise above freezing until around lunch time on Wednesday and then fall back into the teens on Thursday morning. The high Wednesday will be in the mid-30’s and the high Thursday afternoon will be back into the mid-40’s. Remember to check on the people, pets, pipes and plants that you need to.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
450 AM CST Tue Jan 16 2018
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450 AM CST Tue Jan 16 2018
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the
National Weather Service office in Birmingham.
.DAY ONE…Outlook Through Tonight.
An Arctic cold front is expected to bring light to moderate snow to
all of Central Alabama today and tonight. Snow accumulations are
forecast to remain under 2 inches, but temperatures in the 20s as the
snow occurs could lead to significant impacts to travel.
The cold air mass will result in a hard freeze with temperatures
falling into the teens tonight, with single digits possible in a few
locations across the north. Hazardous wind chills are also expected,
falling into the single digits below zero across the north and into
the single digits above zero across the south.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Wednesday through Monday.
Temperatures in the teens and hazardous wind chills near or just
below zero will continue into Wednesday morning. Another hard freeze
with temperatures falling into the teens is expected Wednesday night
into Thursday morning.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be
required today and tonight.
$$