SNOW DAY ACROSS SOUTH ALABAMA & N.W. FLORIDA; DON’T TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE… The potential exists today for a potentially historic winter storm: Snow is likely at times across ALL of south Alabama and northwest Florida, both inland and especially closer to the coast. Temperatures will remain below freezing all day in many communities. In addition to snow, we have already had some sleet reports earlier this morning. Mixed precipitation will be possible, particularly in parts of coastal Alabama and northwest Florida. Showers of snow and mixed precipitation will be possible over the next few hours ahead of heavier, more consistent snow beginning a bit later this morning and extending into the afternoon and evening hours. Road conditions are expected to rapidly deteriorate once precipitation begins. Please do not venture out on local roadways today. Travel is vehemently discouraged as roadway conditions will be dangerous where snow and ice accumulations happen.
TIMING – SNOW & MIXED PRECIPITATION TODAY INTO TONIGHT… Impacts from falling snow and mixed precipitation will be possible through 11PM tonight. The core window for heavier, more consistent snow is Noon to 6PM. Snow and mixed precipitation will taper off to the east this evening. Precipitation will probably be completely over by 11PM in southwest Alabama and northwest Florida.
FRIGID TEMPERATURES; EXTREME COLD WARNING… Temperatures will not get above the freezing mark in many communities today. High temperatures will only be around 30° at 3PM. Air temperatures (what the thermometer shows) will rapidly decline into the 10s across most, if not all, of the area late this evening into Wednesday morning. Most spots will have overnight lows in the low 10s with wind chill values in the 0-10° range. An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect all day today, tonight, and into Wednesday morning until 11AM. The possibility exists for the snow on the ground to cause temperatures to go lower than forecast. PLEASE heed these warnings and make sure all outdoor pets are inside and any outdoor animals are properly warm. Also, please check on folks that may not have proper heating sources. This will be a dangerously cold night coming up!
AS CLOSE TO BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AS YOU’LL EVER GET IN OUR AREA… I was a bit surprised to read this paragraph in the local forecast discussion from our friends at the National Weather Service office in Mobile. This is a direct quote from their discussion: “While we aren’t anticipating true blizzard conditions (criteria defined as frequent gusts in excess of 35mph, visibility below a quarter mile, and blowing snow all for 3 consecutive hours), we can’t rule out temporary near blizzard conditions along the coast where at least moderate snowfall and frequent gusts to 30mph can be expected reducing visibility below a half mile at times. While power outages are not a major concern at this time given the fluffier snow being less prone to accumulating on trees and power lines, [power outages] can’t be ruled out where any tree branches fall onto power lines due to snow piling up on tree branches and winds breaking the branches off.”
ROAD ISSUES POSSIBLE WELL INTO WEDNESDAY… Snow and mixed precipitation won’t start melting until midday on Wednesday once temperatures go above the freezing mark, finally. Hazardous road conditions will persist well into Wednesday. Some locales may have road issues lingering into Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Temperatures finally warm into the 40s by Thursday late morning.
WARMER WEATHER COMING THIS WEEKEND… Sick of the cold weather? You’re not alone. We begin a warming trend tomorrow. High temperatures on Wednesday will be in the upper 30s. Frigid conditions return Wednesday night into Thursday with lows in the 10s again. Highs will be in the 40s on Thursday. 50s are likely Friday and Saturday ahead of 60s on Sunday.
APP… If you haven’t already, be sure to download the free RedZone Weather app to keep up with all the latest information on the world of weather in south Alabama and northwest Florida. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Once you have the app downloaded to your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner) and tap the Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.
See all the details in your Tuesday morning RedZone Weather forecast video. Have a great day!