Weekend Wander Woes: Travel Risks Persist Through Saturday

By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency

CLANTON, Ala. – With the exception of a few areas in far northern Alabama and along the I-59 corridor from St. Clair to DeKalb counties, temperatures have exceeded 32 degrees, albeit only by 2-4 degrees in most locations as of 2 p.m.  This has hindered the melting process on roads following the earlier wintry mix.

The majority of the precipitation has now moved east of I-65, and it is expected to conclude across the northern portion of the state by midnight and the southern section by 6 a.m. Saturday.  Also, some wind gusts ranging from 15-25 mph may occur near and east of I20/59 until 8 p.m.

Overall additional wintry accumulations north of I-20 through midnight will typically be 0.5 inch or less of snow and 0.05 inch or less of freezing rain.

Temperatures will fall below freezing close to and north of I-20 between 6-9 p.m. this evening, and across most regions south of I-20 between midnight-6 a.m.  This will lead to the refreezing of any leftover wintry mix on various roadways, alongside bridges/selected roads with standing water.

This condition will persist in making travel hazardous through Saturday morning on many routes across the northern half of the state.  It is advisable to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary.  For current road conditions and hazards, be sure to download the Alabama Department of Transportation App (ALGO Traffic) or visit their site at algotraffic.com

Projected high temperatures for Saturday are still expected to reach the mid 30s north of I-20 and upper 30s to mid 40s south of I-20.  Certain areas may linger near 32 degrees north of I-20 through Saturday afternoon.