Here’s my best stab at an almost impossible forecast…

First – areas south of US 80 will probably see rain and nothing but rain.  This includes Greenville, Andalusia, Troy, Eufaula, Evergreen, and Dothan.

For most of our area, including Montgomery, Selma, Wetumpka, Prattville and Auburn – mostly rain, only a small chance of a few flurries mixing in with the rain.   No accumulation. 

For areas like Clanton, Alex City, and Lafayette, the rain could mix with or end as snow.  In these areas, we could see a dusting, perhaps up to a slushy half-inch.  No road issues.

For the far northeastern reaches of our area, roughly along and north of a line from Rockford to Roanoke, we  will see rain, changing over to a period of snow before ending.  Temperatures will remain above freezing, but these areas could see an inch, maybe an isolated report of two inches on the grass/cars/rooftops.  Roadways will be wet, with temps above freezing.

DISCLAIMER:  These systems are impossible to forecast.  The  processes that bring the cold air from aloft to the surface are extremely difficult to gauge – and the line between 37 and heavy rain and 34 with heavy snow is razor thin.

Deep, dynamic systems with ample moisture have turned many forecasts for cold rain into several inches of snow.  It’s even happened around here – the snowstorm of December 1997 near Demopolis is a prime example.

Bottom line – expect the unexpected.  We will be watching today and m

What’s in a Name?  I’ve decided to dub this system (and those like it) “The Mount Cheaha Special”…these systems cool the atmosphere from the top down, so Alabama’s highest point (just south of Anniston) will see snow before anyone else.

There, we could see in excess of 3″ of snow…Should be fun to hear the reports from up there.

Filed under: Montgomery, Weather, Winter Weather