With moderate snowfall and an arctic cold front in the forecast, local schools and universities are closed Tuesday as state officials warn motorist to avoid traveling unless it’s an emergency.
The University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College and Tuscaloosa city and county schools on Monday announced plans to close because of the possibility of snow and bitter cold. The forecast prompted Gov. Kay Ivey to declare a state of emergency Monday evening for all 67 counties in preparation for the potential wintry weather.
“Hopefully, we don’t get into a situation like we did a few years ago where we had the snow and it turned immediately to ice,” said Mike Henderson, engineering coordinator with the Tuscaloosa County Engineering Department.
Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency Director Rob Robertson said county and municipal trucks were already loaded with sand in anticipation of icy conditions.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham issued a winter storm watch for much of central Alabama anticipating a cold front that will enter the state on Tuesday morning. The arctic cold front is forecast to enter northwest Alabama on Tuesday morning and move southeastward across the state. There is a hard freeze watch issued for Tuesday through Thursday morning.
The high Tuesday is forecast to be 37 degrees and a low of 14. Wednesday’s temperature range is forecast to be from 33 to 17 degrees.
“The timing is questionable and the amount is questionable, but I think it is pretty confident we are going to see some slick conditions in the overnight tomorrow,” Robertson said.
Snowfall potentially could begin in West Alabama between late morning and early afternoon, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent. The forecast calls for light to moderate snow across the area Tuesday through early Wednesday. Less than 2 inches of snow is expected to fall across the area; however, the impacts may be significant because of the frigid temperatures moving in with the front.
The National Weather Service warns the any snow which melts on the road could refreeze Tuesday evening and into Wednesday morning when temperatures are expected to remain below freezing.
Alabama troopers are encouraging motorists to be off the road by the time the snow begins to fall because road conditions are expected to quickly deteriorate.
Henderson advised drivers who do travel to use caution.
“Certainly, just driving somewhat slower and leaving some additional space between you and the other vehicles is the biggest thing you can do,” Henderson said.
The winter watch area includes Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, and Coosa counties.
Northport Fire Rescue Service said people should be prepared for a possible situation similar to "Snowpocalypse 2014." Frozen roads brought much of the state to a standstill, more so in the Birmingham area, where students stayed overnight at school and people slept in their vehicles and offices.
"What is concerning is the potential for a period of melting followed by a quick freeze," the department posted on its website and Facebook page Sunday night.
"This can not be ruled out, but the ingredients may be there. Roads will have a chance to warm tomorrow and into Tuesday before the arctic front pushes through. Depending on how much snow falls and how quickly it falls, we may see a rapid glaze situation."
The department said people should keep a basic winter survival kit in their vehicles that includes a flashlight, batteries, blanket, extra clothing, snacks, water, gloves, boots, a first-aid kit and jumper cables.