The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is preparing for a
severe winter weather system expected to impact the state in the coming
days. Hazardous conditions, including snow and ice, could develop, and
ALDOT crews are gearing up to keep roadways safe and open.

This winter storm is expected to cause snow across Alabama, with the
heavier snowfall expected south of Interstate 20.

ALDOT is planning extensive pretreatment operations across the state and
will conduct active clearing and treatment operations when snowfall
begins. Even with treatment and response efforts, road conditions in
some areas may become challenging.

Here’s what you need to know about ALDOT’s preparations and how you
can stay safe:

ALDOT’s Winter Weather Preparations

* Monitoring Conditions: ALDOT personnel are actively tracking weather
forecasts and roadway conditions, particularly in areas expected to
experience the most severe winter weather.
* Pretreatment Plans: Depending on conditions, crews may pretreat
roads to minimize ice formation. This is highly dependent on whether
rain precedes or accompanies the wintry precipitation, as rain can wash
away pretreatment materials. Some pretreatment operations will begin as
early as Saturday evening/night, but the majority of pretreatment
operations are planned for Sunday and Monday.

* Prioritizing Roads: ALDOT prioritizes bridges and interstate
highways first, followed by U.S. and state highways based on traffic
volume.

Tips for Motorists

ALDOT urges motorists to take extra precautions when driving in winter
weather conditions. Here are some important safety tips:

* Avoid travel until conditions improve: Once winter precipitation
begins, ALDOT urges motorists to avoid travel during adverse weather and
roadway conditions.
* Slow down: Reduce your speed and increase your following distance,
allowing extra room to stop. Plan additional travel time to reach your
destination.
* 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.

Stay Informed

Motorists are encouraged to stay informed about road conditions and
visit ALDOTNews [1], ALGOTraffic.com [2] or download the ALGO Traffic
app, as well as follow ALGO Traffic on X [3] and ALDOT on Facebook [4].