MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency Thursday for 37 of Alabama’s 67 counties ahead of severe winter weather expected to hit the northern part of the state starting Friday.
“Cold temperatures have persisted in Alabama this week, and we are anticipating the potential for winter weather to impact our state, particularly our driving conditions,” Ivey said Thursday in a statement. “As we all know, winter weather is challenging in a state like Alabama due to forecast uncertainties. That being said, I encourage Alabamians to make any needed preparations today, and if you are in an impacted area and do not have to be on the road, try to avoid it.”
On Friday, precipitation is expected across the state early after 12 a.m. and temperatures in central and northern Alabama are forecast to drop below freezing, according to the National Weather Service.
Snowy and icy conditions are expected in central and northern Alabama Friday, whereas South Alabama will largely see rain, NWS Meteorologist Gerald Satterwhite told Alabama Daily News. The wet conditions for south Alabama, however, could potentially produce icy roads and walkways on Saturday, with temperatures in Mobile forecast to drop as low as 31 degrees.
“Keep an eye on your local forecasts and stay weather aware,” Ivey said.
Counties under the state of emergency declaration are: Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston.
The state of emergency will go into effect at 1 p.m. Thursday. Under the decree, the Alabama National Guard has been asked to be prepared for action, and price gouging of any commodity or rental facility is deemed unlawful so long as the state of emergency is in effect.