Weather Briefing: Bitter Cold and Ice Means Dangerous Roads
Tuesday 4:30 pm – The first bands of light snow are moving through the Birmingham area. Total accumulations are projected to be small — no more than 1.5 inches — but impacts will be serious due to the cold temperatures, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham. Temperatures will fall into the teens and 20s this afternoon and evening. The snow effects will linger through Wednesday morning.
Brian Hastings, director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, warned residents about worsening road conditions Tuesday afternoon.
Birmingham—this is not a snow storm…this is an ICE EVENT. Road conditions are going to worsen & bridges/overpasses are going to be slick. #BlackIce is dangerous! If you are on your way home, slow down & drive for conditions. Get somewhere safe & warm ! @AlabamaEMA @EMAJeffCoAL
— Brian Hastings (@B_Hastings_EMA) January 16, 2018
Roads and bridges in Fayette and Winston counties have been deemed impassable. WBRC reports an overturned tractor trailer on U.S. 280 was related to the weather.
Just received an update from police on scene and it appears this accident was weather related. @WBRCnews pic.twitter.com/INUJM5DDk1
— Jamiese Price (@ThePriceReport) January 16, 2018
Temperatures are expected to continue to drop significantly through the evening and Tuesday night. Any melted snow on the roads will freeze and lead to hazardous travel conditions, the National Weather Service says.
Tuesday noon – No snow yet around Birmingham, but officials report dangerous road conditions in some parts of the state. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says it’s beginning to see weather-related crashes throughout northwest Alabama along with icing on bridges. They continue to recommend staying off roadways if possible. There are slick roads in Cullman County. A few cars have slid off the road in Winston County, though no injuries were reported. And a truck flipped on I-85 in Montgomery.
#BREAKING: Truck has flipped on the I-85 SB ramp heading to I-65 SB in #Montgomery. #alabamatraffic #algo pic.twitter.com/usQCSO7y14
— Alabama News Network (@ALNewsNetwork) January 16, 2018
The snow is expected to move into the Birmingham area this afternoon. The National Weather Service in Birmingham projects accumulations of less than one inch. Low temperatures tonight will be 12 degrees with wind chill as low as -2.
Tuesday 9 am – The National Weather Service in Birmingham says with up to 1 inch snow accumulation, the area won’t see anywhere near the snowfall totals the state saw in December, but the impacts could be far worse. That’s because of very cold temperatures in the forecast. Temperatures will fall throughout the day dropping down to the 20s this afternoon. Snow is expected to start falling in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston and Gadsden sometime from 10 am to 2 pm. And state officials say once the snow starts to fall, it will turn to ice, making roads extremely hazardous.
Please help share this message, please do not allow projected snowfall amounts to determine your level of concern – snow will occur at the same temps are dropping, resulting in travel issues #alwx https://t.co/d4Qgn1V1Cb — Alabama EMA (@AlabamaEMA) January 16, 2018
The Alabama Department of Transportation is treating roadways, giving major interstates and highways priority. As of 8 am, the National Weather Service in Huntsville received reports of slick roads. Snow began to fall in northwest Alabama earlier this morning. Officials and meteorologists advise people to stay off the roads except in an emergency.
UPDATE: With the steady progression of the snow, we recommend no travel in Tuscaloosa/Birmingham/Gadsden after 10am. Conditions will deteriorate rather quickly once the snow begins. pic.twitter.com/512jfJPxuC
— James Spann (@spann) January 16, 2018
Drivers can find updates on traffic and road conditions here.
Many schools closed in anticipation of the severe weather. And Gov. Kay Ivey declared a State of Emergency Monday evening to be able to mobilize state agencies in the event they’re needed.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community
After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.
