Gov. Kay Ivey Declares State Of Emergency Amid Winter Storm

MONTGOMERY, AL — Snow does not fall often in Alabama, and when it does, the state has a tendency to shut down, as Alabamians are not used to driving in ice and snow, and many municipal agencies are not prepared in the state to handle a snow storm.

Gov. Kay Ivey, in anticipation of a winter storm, declared a state of emergency in the state. After more than an inch of ice and snow in many parts of the state Tuesday, Ivey's declaration seems a good call.

Ivey’s state of emergency began at 5 p.m. Sunday for Bibb, Blount, Choctaw, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Shelby, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties.

The governor’s proclamation suspends any provision of the state’s COVID-19 orders “to the extent that its application or enforcement would endanger any person affected by the storm” or prevent any person, government, organization or business responding to the storm “to prevent or mitigate human suffering, or to protect or repair critical infrastructure.”

The Alabama Department of Public Health issued a news release that said county health departments in the Northern, West Central and part of the Southwestern Public Health districts are closed Monday because of the winter storm and announced that COVID-19 vaccination clinics in those districts are rescheduling appointments for vaccines that had been scheduled for Monday.

Meteorologist James Spann said temperatures Tuesday morning were generally between 10 and 18 degrees over the northern half of Alabama. "We even had a hard freeze down to the Gulf Coast; Mobile reported 20 degrees just before daybreak," Spann said. "Snow flurries overnight have provided a 'dusting' to almost 1 inch this morning for many areas, and between that and black ice travel is very difficult in many areas. Unfortunately, temperatures won’t go above freezing over north Alabama today, but at least we expect to see some sun at times."

Spann added, "Tonight will bring another hard freeze, with lows mostly between 15 and 22 degrees."

Spann said rain is likely Wednesday night into part of the day Thursday. "That precipitation, however, will likely fall in the form of sleet, some freezing rain and maybe a few snowflakes over northwest Alabama Wednesday night."

Some light accumulation will be possible Wednesday night where the wintry mix develops, Spann added. "Impacts will be heavily dependent on the surface temperatures, which will be hovering around freezing. Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid upper 30s and low 40s on Thursday, preventing long-term impacts."

The counties with potential for some impact Wednesday night include Marion, Winston, Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Morgan, Limestone and Madison. For the rest of the state, just rain is expected.

"Rain will end Thursday afternoon, and a few snow flurries are possible on the back side of the system Thursday night, but for now no accumulation is expected," Spann said. "Friday will be cold and dry with a clearing sky; the high will be between 38 and 44 degrees."