By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Thursday, 700, January 15, 2026
I will talk discuss precipitation first, temperatures second. An upper-level system will produce showers across much of the state Friday evening into Saturday morning. After a short break, another upper level system and reinforcing shot of cold air will produce a period of precipitation from Saturday evening into Sunday morning.
It is this second system that has the potential for rain turning into a rain/snow mix or becoming snow south of I-20 before ending.
There are several potential scenarios that are unresolved at this point:
- The precipitation ends before cold air turns the precipitation over to snow. This seems the least likely scenario.
2. With high temperatures Saturday in the 50s and even lower 60s in the far southern sections, any potential snowfall would melt upon contact except for grassy areas due to warm ground conditions. This would occur “if” the overall amount of precipitation remains light as currently forecast.
3. An area of low pressure develops in the northern Gulf while or shortly after the cold air arrives. Depending on the strength of the low pressure, this is the classic setup for accumulating snowfall with moisture pumped into the state from the Gulf. The stronger the low pressure becomes, the higher the chances for accumulations.
Let me stress that you should NOT put any faith in a particular model “worst case”/high snowfall totals posted in social media graphics. It is very unclear right now how this event will evolve and amount of any accumulation.
The graphics below are the snowfall accumulation/probabilities from the National Blend of Models (NBM) which provides calibrated forecast guidance from multiple weather models.
Concerning statewide temperatures:
A cold day and breezy day today with highs from the 30s north and 40s elsewhere. In addition, wind gusts from 15-25 mph will occur through sunset making it feel colder. Lows tonight in the 20s.
Friday – Highs from the upper 40s north to middle 60s near the coast. Lows mainly in the 30s and 40s.
Saturday – Highs from the 40s north to around 60 south. Lows from the teens north to lower 30s near the coast.
Sunday – Highs from the lower 30s north to middle 40s near the coast. Very cold with lows mainly in the teens to lower 20s.
Monday – Highs from the 40s north to 50s south. Lows from the teens north to upper 20s south.
Tuesday – Highs from the 30s north to around 50 south. Lows from the teens north to middle 30s near the coast.
