Multi-Hazard Winter Weather Forecast Issued for Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee

Various winter weather advisories and watches have been issued across Alabama and southern Middle Tennessee, anticipating a range of conditions from freezing rain and ice to snow, severe thunderstorms, and high winds. These conditions are expected to span from Friday evening through Monday.

Key concerns include potential ice accumulation in northern areas and the formation of black ice on roads Sunday night into Monday morning, alongside a risk of severe storms in central and southern Alabama on Sunday.

Overview of Advisories and Watches

• Winter Storm Watch: In effect for a significant portion of North Alabama and southern Middle Tennessee from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. This watch includes counties such as Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb, Cullman, Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Etowah, Cherokee in Alabama, and Moore, Lincoln, Franklin counties in Tennessee. Potentially impacted cities include Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Decatur, Athens, Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Cullman, Gadsden, Jasper, Hamilton, Fayette, Guntersville, Arab, and Albertville.
• Winter Weather Advisory: Issued for Henry and Houston counties in southeastern Alabama from 3 AM to 11 AM on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
• Ice Storm Warning: Far northwestern counties of Alabama are under an Ice Storm Warning, as mentioned in a separate advisory regarding temperature changes.
• Wind Advisory: In effect for southeastern sections of Alabama from late Sunday morning into the afternoon.

Forecast Details and Timeline

The Winter Storm Watch begins Friday evening for North Alabama and southern Middle Tennessee. Freezing rain is anticipated across Northwest Alabama on Saturday morning, with temperatures between 27 and 32 degrees, potentially leading to ice accumulation. By Saturday afternoon, temperatures in this region are projected to rise to the mid to upper 30s, which may reduce icing conditions.

Temperatures north of the Vernon – Cullman – Scottsboro line, which were below freezing at 1 PM Saturday, are forecast to rise above freezing between 5 PM and 8 PM, excluding far northwestern counties under an Ice Storm Warning. The majority of rainfall across the state is anticipated from Saturday night through Sunday afternoon.

A warm sector, as forecast by the European global model, could keep much of North Alabama above freezing from Saturday afternoon through early Sunday morning. Temperatures near I-20 may reach 55-60 degrees by Sunday morning, while the western Tennessee Valley could experience upper 30s and low 40s. However, a cold air damming (CAD) pattern may introduce colder air into Northeast Alabama Saturday night, creating conditions for freezing rain and ice in counties such as Jackson, DeKalb, Cherokee, and Cleburne.

Rain is projected to move into the southern half of Alabama late Saturday afternoon and evening, primarily south of a Livingston – Montgomery – Auburn line. For the remainder of Alabama (beyond the specified ice areas), precipitation is primarily expected as rain from Saturday night into early Sunday due to warmer low-level air.

A Winter Weather Advisory is active for Henry and Houston counties in southeastern Alabama from 3 AM to 11 AM. Between 1 AM and 4 AM, rain may transition to a mix of rain and snow, with snow possible generally east of I-65 and south of I-85. All precipitation in this area is expected to conclude by 12 PM Sunday.

A line of showers and thunderstorms is expected to develop and traverse the state from west to east, beginning mid to late Sunday morning and continuing through early evening.

Severe Weather Risk:

• Regions south of I-20, particularly south of a Livingston – Montgomery – Auburn line, have a Slight Risk for severe storms. Sufficient instability and shear are expected, potentially leading to wind gusts ranging from 40 to 60 mph and a possibility of tornadoes.
• Areas northward to I-20 are under a Marginal Risk for severe weather.

Ahead of the storm line, pressure gradient winds in south Alabama are predicted to gust up to 30 mph from late Sunday morning into the afternoon. A Wind Advisory is in effect for southeastern sections during this period.

Temperatures across the northern half of Alabama are projected to decline rapidly during Sunday as a surface low moves northeast. Precipitation is expected to conclude as colder air arrives. A period of snow or freezing rain could occur on the backside of the precipitation mass Sunday afternoon. Little to no transition to freezing rain or snow is expected after temperatures drop below freezing in central/south Alabama, though snow flurries may occur Sunday night into Monday morning.

Very cold air will follow the storm system. By Monday morning, temperatures across the northern half of Alabama are predicted to fall into the 10-18 degree range. Temperatures in North Alabama are forecast to remain below freezing throughout Monday, despite the return of sunshine.

Between 5 AM and 9 AM Sunday morning, temperatures in southern Alabama are forecast to drop to 30-35 degrees. This could lead to a few slick spots on bridges if standing water is present and temperatures reach 32 degrees. However, temperatures are expected to rise above freezing after 9 AM, with Sunday afternoon highs reaching the lower to middle 50s. Widespread or significant slushy road conditions are not expected in this region.

The likelihood of black ice forming on roads across the northern half of Alabama increases for Sunday night and Monday due to the predicted temperature drop.

Gusty winds, potentially up to 30 mph, are also forecast from Sunday night through Monday afternoon across various parts of the state.

Specific Impacts

• Ice Accumulation: Expected across Northwest Alabama Saturday morning and Northeast Alabama Saturday night due to cold air damming.
• Snowfall: In southeastern Alabama, snowfall accumulations, if any, are anticipated mainly in grassy areas, with slightly increased probabilities for higher accumulations in far southern sections of the state. Significant impacts on roadways from snow are not anticipated in this region due to warm road temperatures (middle to upper 50s on Saturday afternoon).

Roadways are generally expected to remain warm enough Saturday to limit widespread snow impacts. However, the primary concern for road conditions shifts to black ice across the northern half of Alabama from Sunday night through Monday morning, as temperatures are predicted to fall significantly below freezing. Isolated slick spots on bridges are possible in southern Alabama Sunday morning if temperatures briefly reach 32 degrees with standing water.