By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Thursday 7:45 am, March 10, 2022
…Continued threat for both severe and winter weather late Friday into early Saturday…
An upper-level disturbance combined with a very strong cold-front will produce a few strong to severe thunderstorms over the southern half of the state and especially east of I-65 and south of I-85 from 9 pm Friday until 4 am Saturday. This includes the potential for a couple of tornadoes.
Farther north, rain will transition to snow and/or sleet near and north of a Livingston – Clanton – Alexander City line early Saturday morning, beginning in northwest AL around 12 am and spreading both south and east during the early morning hours. Both a timing and accumulation graphic is shown below.
There could be slushy roadways and icy bridges due to standing water, especially near and north of I-20 Saturday morning as temperatures by sunrise will range from the middle 20s north to lower 30s as far south as Hwy 80/I-85. Driving could be dangerous in spots so avoid travel from 12 am – 12 pm Saturday if at all possible.
Temperatures are forecast to rise above freezing north of I-20 between 11 am – 2 pm on Saturday in most areas, except for the far northern sections where temperatures will remain right around 32 degrees.
In addition, strong northerly wind gusts statewide from 25-35 mph during the daylight hours on Saturday may down tree limbs and some trees causing power outages. A Gale Warning is in effect for coastal Alabama from 3 am – 6 pm Saturday with wind gusts near 50 mph.
Bitterly cold temperatures will occur Saturday night with low temperatures by Sunday morning ranging from the upper teens in the northern sections to middle 20s along the coast. Temperatures will quickly warm on Sunday with a continued warming trend into the middle of next week.