Winter Storm Update

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Alabama Emergency Management Agency

CLANTON – Wednesday 300 pm, January 21, 2026

Temperatures have trended slightly warmer near and north of I-20 but impacts still expected.

The past couple of model runs have high temperatures above freezing for some time north of I-20 on Saturday and again on Sunday.   As a result, total ice accumulations between 0.1-0.5 inch are now forecast near and north of a Vernon – Cullman – Gadsden line.  In addition, there could even be a couple of strong thunderstorms in the far southern sections Saturday afternoon and evening!

Map showing the probability of at least 0.1 inch of freezing rain across several states, with color gradients indicating varying probabilities ranging from 25% to 80%.
Map showing the probability of at least 0.25 inch of freezing rain, with color gradients indicating different probabilities: 60-75% in orange, 30-60% in red, and 25% in dark blue.
Map displaying the probability of at least 0.5 inch of freezing rain across several regions, with color coding indicating probability levels below 25%, 30-55%, and more.

As a reminder, it is possible the models could shift the cold air southward again.  Unfortunately, it won’t be until tomorrow when confidence increases with the locations of the cold air.  

The bulk of the precipitation is still expected from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.  In addition, even in those areas with a cold rain, a transition to freezing rain, sleet and snow is possible Sunday morning into the afternoon as far south as a Livingston – Montgomery – Auburn line before ending.  This could lead to hazardous driving conditions.  

With temperatures statewide Sunday night dropping below freezing, any standing water on roadways could freeze into Monday.  High temperatures near and north of I-20 on Monday are forecast to remain below freezing.

Map showing minimum temperatures across Alabama for the specified times, with temperature ranges from 22°F in the north to 51°F in the south.
Map showing minimum temperatures across Alabama for a specified time period, with temperatures ranging from 25°F to 54°F.
Min temperature map for Alabama showing low temperatures forecasted from Sunday 7:00 PM to Monday 9:00 AM, with temperatures as low as 10°F in the north.