ALDOT prepping roads as Winter Storm Watch issued in Alabama

There is a real possibility of snow across the northern half of the state between Thursday night and Saturday morning.

But even if there is not a ton of accumulation throughout the state, most of Alabama is expected to get some kind of wintry mix which could cause hazardous travel conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for areas as far south as Shelby County and up to the Tennessee border. A Hazardous Weather Outlook is issued for most of central Alabama from Tuscaloosa all the way down to Troy.

Keep reading for more details + see how the Alabama Department of Transportation is preparing to make the roads as safe as possible.

Winter Storm Watch

The NWS in Birmingham said Thursday night and Friday are becoming a little more concerning in regards to winter weather.

The probabilities are increasing but the temperature could dramatically change this setup and will need to be monitored in the coming days.

A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for the northern third of the area, with warnings and advisories expected closer to the impact time.

Travel tips

Everywhere north of Birmingham is considered a “Significant Impact Area” where travel should be completely avoided if possible.

But advisories throughout the rest of the state are expected.

“Types of weather threats anticipated include snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain. While snow accumulation is primarily expected in the north and central parts of the state, low air and roadway temperatures may cause any precipitation to freeze on pavements, creating icy roadways and patches of black ice.”

~ Alabama Department of Transportation

Following the onset of winter weather, ALDOT says it will respond to snow and ice on roadways as needed. The focus of operations in the immediate aftermath of the storm will be on providing a single passable lane for emergency travel on major arteries.

Conditions are currently expected to remain treacherous throughout the weekend. ALDOT created a list of tips to stay safe if you have to be on the roads:

• Slow down: Reduce your speed and increase your following distance, allowing extra room to stop.
• Be aware of black ice: Bridges and overpasses are particularly susceptible to black ice, which is a thin, invisible layer of ice.
• Avoid sudden braking and steering: These actions can cause your vehicle to lose control.
• Turn on your headlights: This will make your vehicle more visible to other drivers.
• Avoid using cruise control on icy roads: This can cause you to lose control of your vehicle if you hydroplane.
• Watch for workers: Be aware of emergency personnel and crews treating and clearing roadways.
• Move crashed vehicles: In the event of a minor crash, safely move vehicles off the roadway if possible to maintain access for first responders and treatment crews. Do not abandon vehicles in travel lanes.

Make sure to stay tuned to your local meteorologists + weather services for updated models ahead of Friday. And if you see any snow this week, post it and tag The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn!