VERY COLD AIR ARRIVES TUESDAY MORNING; WIND CHILL VALUES IN THE 10s… Wind chill values on Tuesday morning are set to be as low as 5 degrees across parts of west Alabama. Most locales across our region will have wind chill values in the 10s and 20s. While air temperatures Tuesday morning will be in the 20s, a 10-15 mph strong northwesterly wind will make outdoor temps feel much colder. Black ice continues to be a potential concern on area roadways Monday evening into Tuesday morning, particularly in Monroe, Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, Marengo, and Wilcox counties in our local area.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST ALABAMA… Choctaw, Clarke, and Washington counties in southwest Alabama are now under a Winter Weather Advisory valid from 3AM to 3PM on Monday due to the potential for freezing rain and occasional sleet/ice pellets being possible. Total ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch will be possible. This includes Thomasville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Toddtown, Zimco, Whatley, Scyrene, Gainestown, Coffeeville, Morvin, Fulton, Salitpa, Chatom, Millry, Leroy, Malcolm, McIntosh, Vinegar Bend, Gilbertown, Butler, Silas, Toxey, Needham, and surrounding areas in west Alabama.
WINTER STORM WARNING TO OUR NORTH… Much of western and northern Alabama is now included in a Winter Storm Warning. Higher ice accumulation amounts of 0.1″ to 0.3″ of frozen precipitation will be possible, meaning power outages and tree damage are likely. Travel could be nearly impossible. This Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Livingston, Greensboro, Eutaw, Aliceville, Jasper, Fayette, Hamilton, Cullman, Double Springs, Huntsville, Florence, Moulton, Russellville, Boaz, Fort Payne, Double Springs, and surrounding areas. The Birmingham metro area is involved in a Winter Storm Watch.
BLACK ICE CONCERNS MONDAY NIGHT… Most of our local area will have precipitation that happens Monday in the form of rain. If this rain forms puddles and wet spots on local roadways, this can become black ice once subfreezing temperatures happen Monday night into Tuesday. Black ice will be a real concern for travelers and folks who will be on the road Monday night into early Tuesday morning. This is especially true in parts of Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Choctaw, Marengo, and Wilcox counties. Keep in mind that the risk of black ice elsewhere across the region is not zero, but the risk is lower outside of those counties. If you’re traveling Monday night into Tuesday morning, PLEASE be cautious and aware of the potential for black ice. If you know someone that has to be on local roadways in this timeframe, please make sure they are aware of this potential.
STORMS POSSIBLE TO THE EAST… Thunderstorms could briefly become strong on the eastern side of our region as precipitation exits to the east Monday evening. We note the Storm Prediction Center has added a severe weather risk zone due to the potential for gusty winds and perhaps a tornado or two valid for Monday into Monday evening. This risk zone is mainly in place for the Florida Panhandle region and points east, including northern Florida and southern Georgia. SPC has included parts of southern Baldwin, Escambia (FL), Escambia (AL), Covington, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties in their low-end, Level 1 (out of 5) risk zone valid for Monday into Monday night. Walton County and points east are involved in the Level 2 (out of 5) slight severe weather risk. Most of us on Monday will simply have a cold rain, but I cannot completely rule out a few stronger storms tomorrow evening as rain and storms exit to our east. I will have another update about this later today.
APP… Many updates will be posted over the next 24-36 hours in the RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Be sure to visit the Alerts tab (bottom right corner) and tap the large, yellow “Alert Settings” button to customize the alerts you’d like to receive from me. If you like a lot of info, be sure to toggle ON Low-Level Alerts.
Have a good Sunday evening!
