By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Friday, 6:45 am January 10, 2025
Look at the map above. If you are located in the Winter Storm Warning area, you should avoid all travel today. As of 6 am there are already many reports of roads that are ice covered to impassable. If you live in the Winter Weather Advisory area, avoid travel until later this afternoon.
For the latest road conditions/hazards, make sure you download the Alabama Department of Transportation App (ALGO Traffic) or go to their website at algotraffic.com
Also, keep in mind that it only takes one accident outside of your control during winter weather for you to be stuck on a roadway from minutes to hours.
Precipitation generally north of Tuscaloosa – Clanton – Auburn line is snow, sleet and freezing rain, with all snow/sleet north of I-20 at 6 am.
Temperatures as far north as I-20 are still forecast to get above freezing between 9 am and noon, and potentially for some areas north of I-20 from 12 pm – 6 pm. However, many areas north of I-20 may not, which will lead to sleet and freezing rain continuing into the afternoon.
Even with temperatures reaching the mid 30s to lower 40s, roadways will take time for melting with hazardous road conditions continuing throughout the day.
The bulk of the precipitation will end by 6 pm in the western sections and the northern half of the state by 1 am. Precipitation will end across the southern half by 5 am Saturday. Total snow/sleet amounts in the Winter Storm Warning area will be 2-5 inches and up to 2 inches in the Winter Weather Advisory area. There could be higher local amounts where heavier precipitation bands occur.
Total ice amounts will generally be 0.1 inch or less, but some locations could see 0.1 – 0.3 inch, especially east of I-65.
Low temperatures tonight will range from the mid 20s north to mid 30s in the far south. Any residual water on roadways could refreeze overnight. High temperatures Saturday south of I-20 will range from the mid 30s to mid 40s. North of I-20, lower to mid 30s are expected, and it is possible many areas will not get above freezing.
A bitterly cold night Saturday night/Sunday morning with lows from the mid-teens north to upper 20s south. Highs by Sunday afternoon will get above freezing statewide with upper 30s north to mid 50s south.
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