The winter weather is back.
Much of north and west Alabama was under an extreme cold warning this morning and a winter storm warning has been issued for central and south Alabama from 6 a.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday. Multiple state agencies are warning people to use caution, and stay home if possible as one to three inches of snow is possible.
Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous, the National Weather Service warns.
“Plan on slippery road conditions,” it says. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.”
Travel is going to be a major concern Tuesday, especially across the southern half of Central AL.
Don’t get caught up in snowfall amounts from forecast to forecast- even light accumulation amounts will have impacts on roads! pic.twitter.com/heU7yopYnD— NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) January 19, 2025
In a Sunday press release, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said unnecessary travel should be avoided.
“We recognize that winter weather can pose unique challenges for our Alabama communities, particularly in those areas where snow and ice are rare,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said. “Our primary goal is to keep our citizens safe. Reducing unnecessary travel during dangerous conditions is crucial to preventing accidents and ensuring first responders can perform their duties efficiently.”
The Alabama Department of Transportation on Saturday said it was preparing for snow and ice, with heavier snowfall expected south of Interstate 20.
“(The department) is planning extensive pretreatment operations across the state and will conduct active clearing and treatment operations when snowfall begins,” a news release said. “Even with treatment and response efforts, road conditions in some areas may become challenging.”
Some closures have already been announced. Coastal Alabama Community College campuses are closed Tuesday and Wednesday, the school announced over the weekend.