MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) are preparing for potential winter weather this weekend.
From ALDOT
ALDDOT is actively preparing for a potentially high impact winter weather event this coming weekend. Hazardous conditions, including snow and ice, are expected to develop, and ALDOT is monitoring forecasts and coordinating with our partners in an effort to prepare and respond as effectively as possible.
While forecasts are constantly evolving, this winter storm is expected to bring snow and ice in the form of freezing rain and sleet across much of the northern half of Alabama, with the heaviest snowfall currently expected north of the Tennessee River.
Here’s what you need to know about ALDOT’s preparations and how you can stay safe:
ALDOT’s winter weather preparations
- Monitoring conditions: ALDOT personnel are actively tracking weather forecasts and roadway conditions, particularly in areas expected to experience the most severe winter weather impacts.
- Pretreatment plans: Depending on conditions, crews may pretreat roads to minimize ice formation. It is important to note that this is highly dependent on whether rain precedes or accompanies the wintry precipitation, as rain can wash away pretreatment materials.
- Prioritizing roads: ALDOT prioritizes bridges and interstate highways first, followed by U.S. and state highways based on traffic volume.
Tips for motorists
ALDOT urges motorists to take extra precautions when driving in winter weather conditions. Here are some important safety tips:
- Avoid travel until conditions improve: Once winter precipitation begins, ALDOT urges motorists to avoid travel during adverse weather and roadway conditions.
- Slow down: If travel cannot be avoided, reduce your speed and increase your following distance, allowing extra room to stop. Plan additional travel time to reach your destination.
- Be aware of black ice: Bridges and overpasses are particularly susceptible to black ice, which is a clear layer of ice that is not visible to drivers.
- Avoid sudden braking and steering: These actions can cause your vehicle to lose control.
- Turn on your headlights: This will make your vehicle more visible to other drivers.
- Avoid using cruise control on icy roads: This can cause you to lose control of your vehicle if you hydroplane.
- Watch for workers: Be aware of emergency personnel and crews treating and clearing roadways.
- Move crashed vehicles: In the event of a minor crash, safely move vehicles off the roadway if possible to maintain access for first responders and treatment crews. Do not abandon vehicles in travel lanes.
Stay informed
Motorists are encouraged to stay informed about road conditions.
Visit ALDOTNews.com, ALGOTraffic.com or download the ALGO Traffic app, as well as follow ALGO Traffic on X (formerly Twitter) and ALDOT on Facebook. Follow regional operation accounts on Facebook and X for more local information:
- ALDOT North Region Facebook, X (formerly Twitter): (Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties)
- ALDOT West Central Region Facebook, X (formerly Twitter): (Bibb, Chilton, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties)
- ALDOT East Central Region Facebook, X (formerly Twitter): (Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Jefferson, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega and Tallapoosa counties)
- ALDOT Southeast Region Facebook, X (formerly Twitter): (Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Henry, Houston, Geneva, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike and Russell counties)
- ALDOT Southwest Region Facebook, X (formerly Twitter): (Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties)
Meanwhile, ALEA is urging Alabamians to prepare for black ice, slick roads as potential winter weather approaches this weekend.
With the potential for winter weather impacts across Alabama this weekend, ALEA is urging motorists statewide to prepare now and remain alert for hazardous road conditions, including black ice and slick roadways, as forecasts continue to evolve.
While exact impacts may shift before the weekend, freezing temperatures combined with rain or moisture could create dangerous driving conditions for several days beginning on Friday, Jan. 23 in the northern portion of the state, before expanding to other areas.
“Black ice is one of the most dangerous hazards drivers face because it’s often invisible,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Roads may look wet but can be slick in an instant, especially overnight and during early morning hours. Preparing now and adjusting travel plans, in addition to practicing safe driving behaviors, can prevent serious crashes.”
ALEA encourages motorists to take time now to prepare their vehicles and emergency supplies before conditions deteriorate, including:
- Keep your gas tank full.
- Pack an emergency supply kit with a blanket, flashlight, first-aid kit and basic necessities.
- Carry a fully charged cell phone and a vehicle charger.
- Check antifreeze levels, tires and overall vehicle condition before the weather arrives.
- Use windshield washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures.
Drivers should also understand that hazardous conditions are not limited to snow-covered roads.
“In Central and South Alabama, rain combined with freezing temperatures can create slick roadways just as dangerous as ice or snow,” said Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), Colonel Jonathan Archer. “Bridges, overpasses, shaded areas and elevated roadways can freeze quickly, turning a routine drive into a serious risk.”
ALEA reminds motorists of the following driving safety tips for winter, wet and slick conditions:
- Avoid travel when hazardous conditions develop, if possible.
- Slow down and increase following distance on wet, icy or slick roads.
- Avoid using cruise control or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and traffic jam assist in rain, freezing temperatures or icy conditions.
- Use extreme caution on bridges and overpasses, which freeze before other roadways.
- Be alert for changing conditions, especially overnight and early morning.
- Turn on headlights during rain or reduced visibility and remain alert for emergency vehicles and first responders.
ALEA will be closely monitoring roadway conditions and coordinating with partner agencies, including the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), and the Alabama National Guard (ALNG) as conditions develop across the state.
Motorists are encouraged to check current road conditions at algotraffic.com and to follow ALEA on social media (@ALEAProtects) for the latest updates. ALEA’s platforms provide timely information directly from ALEA Troopers on the ground, Public Communications Officers (PCOs) and emergency management partners regarding road conditions, closures and safety advisories.
“When conditions change quickly, getting information from trusted sources matters,” Taylor added. “Resources such as ALGO Traffic and our Agency’s social media channels help ensure citizens receive real-time updates from those responding in the field.”
ALEA will continue to work with media partners to share updates and safety information as forecasts are refined.
