CLANTON – At 9 am Wednesday, a Civil Emergency is in effect through at least early afternoon for Bibb, Perry, Dallas, Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Tallapoosa, Barbour and Chambers Counties due to extremely hazardous and likely impassable road conditions due to snow and ice. Snowy and icy roads exist across many portions of Alabama, especially on secondary roads that are less traveled. For the latest road conditions on Interstates, State and US Highways, go to: https://algotraffic.com/
Many roads, especially those that remain shaded, will remain snow/ice covered today and tonight, as high temperatures today will remain below freezing over most of the state. In addition, breezy winds will produce wind chill values in the single digits this morning and in the teens this afternoon.
Tonight will be bitterly cold, with low temperatures from the middle teens to middle 20s, and some normally colder locations in the northern sections of the state could again see single digits.
If at all possible, avoid travel until Thursday afternoon. I can’t stress enough that travel is very dangerous. If you must travel, allow plenty of time to reach your destination and drive much more slowly than you normally would.
In addition, avoid venturing outside today and tonight for any length of time, but if you do, wear plenty of layered clothing. Bring extra clothing if you must drive, just in case you become stuck. It is much easier to take off clothing if you become too warm than not have enough.
Check on family, friends and family, especially the elderly and those with special needs, to ensure they are keeping warm.
We finally will begin to see temperatures rise above freezing statewide Thursday afternoon, but still way below what is typical for this time of year. The good news is that the warming trend will continue into the early part of next week.
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