BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Watch from late Sunday night through Monday morning for most of North and Central Alabama, including Cherokee, Etowah and Calhoun Counties in our coverage area.
Forecasters say dangerously cold wind chills could drop as low as two below zero in northwest areas and around five degrees in the southeast.
Frostbite and hypothermia can happen quickly if skin is exposed, and several hours of subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
Residents are urged to dress in layers, keep pets indoors, check on elderly neighbors, use space heaters safely, and never use generators or grills inside. Pipes should be wrapped, drained or allowed to drip to prevent freezing.
Extreme Cold Watch
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
315 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026
Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee-Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega-Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa-Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon-Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour.
…EXTREME COLD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING…
* WHAT…Dangerously cold wind chills as low as minus 2 in the northwest and 5 in the southeast.
* WHERE…Most of Central Alabama.
* WHEN…From late Sunday night through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS…Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
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