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Welcome to the Multimedia Impact Weather Briefing for Central Alabama. Today is Sunday, February
9th, 2014. This briefing will continue to focus on the potential for winter weather,
but possibly a more prolonged event beginning as early as after midnight tonight and lasting
possibly into Wednesday across portions of North Central Alabama. There's much to talk
about so let's begin.
There will be a chance for showers late tonight moving into Central Alabama. The air aloft
above the surface will be warm still. There is a small area across Marion and Winston
counties that may go just below freezing. There will be limited moisture at the onset,
but some freezing rain or freezing drizzle will be possible. Our concern if that happens
will be when and if temperatures go above freezing during the day Monday and for how
long before the next round comes into the area. This could cause impacts across these
counties with even small amounts. So this is a low confidence, but potentially impacting
event.
As we discussed yesterday, another round of precipitation will return to Central Alabama
late Monday as yet another upper level disturbance tracks eastward across the Ohio/Tennessee
Valleys. This will bring another opportunity for a wintry mix of precipitation across the
northern portions of Central Alabama in the Monday evening into Tuesday morning time frame.
At this point, our confidence is increasing in the chance for the wintry mix, with precipitation
transitioning as the system progresses overnight. Wintry mix should start in the far northwest
counties in the late afternoon and early evening. It will take a little longer closer to the
I-20 corridor for rain to transition over, mainly after midnight. Based on latest data,
for locations generally near and north of I-20, there could be multiple transitions
between precipitation types. Therefore, some snow, sleet and freezing rain look possible
for many areas in the north. Fluctuations to the north or south are still possible through
tomorrow. It will be imperative that you check the latest forecast and products frequently
for any updates on what can be expected in your particular location.
As far as accumulations, here is a rough estimate as accumulations will most likely be a combination
of sleet and snow, with possibly a little ice from freezing rain in some places. It
is important to remember that with varying types of accumulation less may be needed for
impacts to occur. These amounts are subject to change as we move closer in time.
Unfortunately, our winter weather chances don't end on Tuesday during the day. Yet another
round is possible with a 2nd shortwave that will move across Alabama from Tuesday night
through Wednesday night. At this time, we wanted to introduce the possibility of impacts
continuing with a prolonged event, but exact amounts are uncertain at this time. For Tuesday
night into Wednesday morning, a wintry mix is possible across the northern 1/3 of Central
Alabama.
As we move into Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night the wave moves east, but lingering impacts
from winter precipitation could be possible into the night across the northeast counties
as a wedge of cold air remains in place.
Thanks for viewing this briefing. Just as a reminder, for rapidly changing situations
and while events are ongoing, please see the graphicasts on the front of our website for
the latest information. If you have any additional questions, please give us a call at 205-664-3010.
Thank you!