Alabama could face various threats from freezing rain in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.
For some, some snow could also be thrown.
It’s still a low-confidence forecast, as is most often the case with winter rainfall in Alabama, but the threat is enough to warrant a warning. Keep an eye on the weather forecast over the weekend.
“February in Alabama is a really tough time in terms of weather,” the weather service said in one of its forecasts Friday morning.
North and north-central Alabama are the main areas to be affected, but forecasters in southern Alabama are also watching things closely. Right now, it all seems like rain for the southern half of the state.
The first round of possible winter precipitation could arrive late Saturday morning tonight, mainly affecting northwest Alabama.
The second and bigger chance could arrive Sunday evening and Monday, according to the weather service. And it could hit all of North Alabama and quite a bit of north-central Alabama.
The National Weather Service in Huntsville said there will be a small chance of freezing rain arriving in northwest Alabama tonight.
The weather service warned that predicted confidence is still low with tonight’s weather, but a light mix of rain or sleet will be possible from late tonight.
Some icing could be possible on bridges and overpasses and some minor roads in northwest Alabama, forecasters said.
Concerns about possible icing are spreading southward into the central counties of Alabama, Marion, Lamar and Winston, according to the Birmingham weather service.
Some short travel problems will be possible before the precipitation turns to all rain later on Saturday morning.
There could be more rainfall during the day on Saturday, but it is expected to all be rain.
The second round of possible winter precipitation comes late on Sunday and Monday.
It could start out as a wintery mix of rain and icy rain, but transition to snow later in the day on Monday, the weather service said. Any accumulations of snow are expected to be on the lighter side.
Later on Monday, more freezing rain is possible and, according to forecasters, a cold front will continue.
“This winter storm system continues to evolve, but confidence is growing a bit that some travel influences will develop as a result of this winter mix,” the Huntsville weather service said.
Drier and colder weather is expected from Tuesday onwards.
However, forecasters say there is a chance of more winter accidents on Wednesday, but it’s too early to say whether sleet or snow will be a problem.