From James Spann and the ABC 33/40 Weather Blog:

COLD, DRY UNTIL MORNING: With sunny skies, temperatures this afternoon will range from the low 30s over the Tennessee Valley to the low to mid 40s near the Gulf Coast. Tonight will be clear and cold, with lows between 17 and 25 degrees in most places.

The weather will remain cold and dry tomorrow with a high of over 40°C; The clouds will be thicker tomorrow night.

WINTER STORM WATCH: A winter storm warning is in effect starting Friday for about the northern third of Alabama and places as far away as Millport, Birmingham, Sylacauga and Roanoke.

Here are the top messages about Friday’s winter storm potential.

*A mix of snow, sleet and some freezing rain will move into western and northern Alabama very early Friday morning; In most places it starts between 3:00 and 6:00. A cold rain begins over southern Alabama.

*As precipitation begins, evaporative cooling will likely reduce temperatures to 28 to 31 degrees in the northern half of the state, where icy/hazardous road issues are likely. Some wintry precipitation is possible as far south as central Alabama, possibly as far south as Greensboro, Montgomery, Opelika and Phenix City (these locations may experience a brief period of freezing rain).

*During the day, the process of warm air advection is likely responsible for turning snow and freezing rain into cold rain across central Alabama. For example, the Birmingham metro was expected to see snow/freezing rain in the morning, and by midday on Friday it was expected to be just cold rain, with temperatures rising into the mid 30s. However, areas along and north of US 278 (Hamilton to Cullman to Gadsden) could experience snowfall during the event. We note that recent modeling shows some potential for short-term rainfall as far north as the Tennessee Valley.

*The National Weather Service is forecasting amounts of 4 to 6 inches for the Tennessee Valley in northern Alabama. Totals of 2 to 3 inches are predicted for places like Anniston and Gadsden in northeast Alabama. About 1 to 2 inches for Birmingham Tuscaloosa could see 1/2 to 1 inch. Some freezing rain could cause icy bridges up to the I-85 corridor for a short period of time Friday morning.

*NWS forecast snow amounts may need to be adjusted slightly lower based on the model trends we are seeing.

*Please understand that at no time do I have any information about future road conditions in any particular location. Information about road conditions during the event can be found on the ALGO traffic pages.

*A few lingering thunderstorms are possible Saturday morning, but the weekend will remain dry. Where there is still snow (mainly in the Tennessee Valley), temperatures could fall to 10 to 15 degrees early Sunday morning under clear skies and light winds.

*Please understand that it is not easy to predict the future, especially when it comes to winter storms in Alabama. Note that this forecast is subject to change by Friday.

Next week looks mostly dry, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s; The next storm system is expected to bring rain (not snow) toward the end of the week or Saturday, January 18th. Maps, graphics and further details can be found in the video briefing.

ON THIS DATE IN 1973: Georgia’s worst ice storm since 1935 occurred August 7-8. Freezing rain and sleet began in the early hours of Sunday 7th and ended in most areas on Monday. Total damage was estimated at well over $25 million. The electric utilities suffered losses estimated at $5 million, and the telephone companies suffered another $2 million in damages. Some schools were closed for more than a week.