ARCTIC AIR MOVES IN TONIGHT; SLEET & FREEZING RAIN CONCERNS OVER WEST ALABAMA… Temperatures will be in the 60s this afternoon ahead of the big plunge into the 20s and 30s overnight. Highs on Tuesday will only be in the 30s! There is a chance for a small amount of ice accumulation overnight and into Tuesday across parts of west Alabama, specifically in areas west of the Alabama River. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for several local counties in southwest Alabama.
The details from my post last evening remain largely on point, below.
WINTER WEATHER ISSUES – TIMING… 9PM tonight to 9AM Tuesday is when minor ice accumulations are most likely to happen across parts of southwest Alabama, specifically in parts of Monroe, Clarke, Washington, northern Mobile, and northern Baldwin counties. Minor ice accretions of 0.05 inches will be possible. There is a low-end chance some spots across southwest Alabama may see up to 0.1 inches of ice accretions. This means that roads may become slick, especially bridges and overpasses.
PRECIPITATION POSSIBLE MONDAY EVENING THRU TUESDAY MORNING… The precipitation across much of southwest Alabama and northwest Florida will fall in the form of rain this afternoon through Tuesday A.M. Some spots over west Alabama may experience sleet or freezing rain, particularly Tuesday morning, prompting the ongoing Winter Weather Advisory. Precipitation should clear to our east early (by 9AM) Tuesday.
BLACK ICE CONCERNS… While the overall risk of black ice will be greatest across parts of west Alabama, there is a chance for patchy instances of black ice across parts of the entire region in south Alabama and northwest Florida. From the local NWS: “Black ice looks like pavement, so if temperatures are near freezing, drive slowly like you’re on ice. Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you and avoid sudden braking or sudden acceleration.”
VERY COLD TEMPS EARLY THIS WEEK… After the passage of the Arctic front this evening, temperatures will plunge into the 30s by 1AM Tuesday morning. Temperatures will be below 40 degrees for a solid 36 hours from roughly midnight tonight to around Noon on Wednesday, including all of Tuesday. Temperatures will be below the freezing mark from roughly 6PM Tuesday evening to 10AM Wednesday with overnight lows Wednesday morning likely to be in the mid-10s. Wind chill values will likely be in the single digits Wednesday morning. EXTREMELY cold conditions for our local area!
TEMPS BRIEFLY REBOUND LATER THIS WEEK… High temperatures on Wednesday will be in the 40s with upper-50s likely on Thursday. While overnight lows will be below freezing again Wednesday night into Thursday morning, we get a brief break from the very cold temperatures Thursday and Friday ahead of more subfreezing temperatures during the upcoming weekend.
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.
I will have updates posted as needed throughout the day and into tonight in the RedZone Weather app. Have a nice Monday!