Winter Weather Advisory Expanded to 3 Alabama Counties Tuesday Night

(Announced Tuesday, January 31st)

A “Winter Weather Advisory” is in effect for three north Alabama counties until Wednesday morning. Light freezing rain will be possible there, forecasters said.

Take care if you’re out and about in north Alabama tonight. There could be some slippery roads to deal with.  The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued – and has now expanded — a winter weather advisory for Colbert, Limestone and Lauderdale counties in north Alabama that will be in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday. (Colbert County was added to the advisory Tuesday night.)  The weather service said minor accumulations of freezing rain will be possible in those counties — primarily on elevated surfaces.

Difficult travel could be possible in some areas, the weather service cautioned.  Total ice accumulations from 0.01 to 0.15 inches will be possible. The weather service said the highest amounts are expected in northwestern Lauderdale County.  The icy conditions could affect the Wednesday morning commute as well, forecasters said.

Areas to the north and west of Alabama are under ice storm warnings, and the weather service cautioned anyone traveling in that direction to check conditions carefully.

“The worst impacts of this storm will be to our north and west, so please be aware of road conditions beforehand if you are traveling west toward Memphis or north toward Nashville tomorrow!” forecasters said Tuesday.  A cold rain is expected for the rest of north Alabama, according to forecasters. Lows overnight are expected to range between 33 and 40 degrees, the weather service said.

Select Alabama Schools Issued Delays Due to Winter Weather Threat on Wednesday

Several Alabama school systems delayed starting times on Wednesday, February 1st due to the threat of winter weather.

The schools included:

Athens City Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Athens State University – Delayed 2 hours

Colbert County Schools – Delayed 3 hours Wednesday

Florence City Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Franklin County Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Lauderdale County Schools – Open at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Bus routes delayed to match school time.

Lawrence County Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Limestone County Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Mars Hill Bible School – Opening Late 1 hour Wednesday; TK-12 starting at 10 a.m.

Morgan County Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Muscle Shoals City Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Northwest-Shoals Community College – Delayed until 9:30 a.m.

Russellville City Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday

Sheffield City Schools – Opening at 10 a.m. Wednesday

Tuscumbia City Schools – Delayed 2 hours Wednesday