Alabama — The air feels unusually crisp this morning, and damp pavement hints at what’s coming. A powerful winter system is now taking aim at north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee, with conditions expected to deteriorate rapidly as the weekend approaches.
The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon for much of north and northeast Alabama, including the Huntsville metro, and extending into southern Tennessee. This system brings a high-impact threat: snow, sleet, and significant ice.
Snow and sleet accumulations of 2 to 3 inches or more are possible, with ice accretions exceeding one-quarter inch in some locations. Locally higher amounts cannot be ruled out. That level of icing raises serious concerns for power outages, downed trees, and impassable roads.
Wintry precipitation is expected to begin Friday evening and intensify overnight into Saturday. Cold air will be firmly in place, allowing freezing rain and sleet to stick quickly. Once ice builds, conditions may worsen even without heavy precipitation.
Cities including Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Cullman, Scottsboro, Fort Payne, and nearby Tennessee communities such as Fayetteville and Winchester fall within the watch. Major corridors like I-65, US-72, and US-231 could become treacherous or closed if icing intensifies.
Officials urge residents to strongly consider delaying travel. If travel is unavoidable, prepare for emergencies. Power disruptions may last into Sunday due to prolonged cold.
Looking ahead, the 6–10 day outlook keeps colder-than-normal air locked in, meaning lingering ice impacts are possible even after precipitation ends.
