Weather Briefing: Bitter Cold and Ice Means Dangerous Roads

Gigi Douban | January 16, 2018

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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.