Birmingham, Alabama – Portions of Alabama are now included in a low-end but increasing winter storm risk, as forecasters track a developing system that could bring snow or wintry precipitation unusually far south this weekend, according to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center.
The outlook spans 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday, when a strengthening storm system may impact central and northern Alabama, particularly along the Interstate 65 and Interstate 20 corridors, including Birmingham, Hoover, Trussville, and surrounding communities.
As of Monday evening, central Alabama is included in a 10% probability area for at least moderate winter storm impacts, with forecasters noting that probabilities are trending upward as confidence in the broader East Coast pattern improves. Officials emphasize that this remains a conditional risk, but one that bears close watching.
What forecasters know:
- Very cold Arctic air is expected to blanket much of the eastern U.S. into next week, pushing freezing temperatures deep into the Southeast.
- A high-altitude disturbance is forecast to dive out of Canada late Thursday, then deepen across the eastern U.S. by Saturday.
- This setup may generate a surface low-pressure system, spreading precipitation into the Tennessee Valley and Deep South.
- If cold air remains firmly in place, precipitation could fall as snow or a wintry mix, even in parts of Alabama.
What remains uncertain:
- The exact southern extent of accumulating snow
- Whether precipitation reaches Alabama while cold air is still entrenched
- The track and strength of the surface low during the Friday–Monday window
Because snow and ice are rare in Alabama, even light accumulations could lead to significant travel disruptions, especially on I-65, I-20/59, U.S. 280, and elevated bridges and overpasses.
Residents are urged to monitor forecast updates closely through midweek, particularly as probabilities may continue to rise and details become clearer closer to the weekend.
