By Jeff Devine, Editor-in-Chief, Dale County Chronicle
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency Thursday for 19 counties in northern Alabama as state officials continue monitoring weather conditions expected to impact the region this weekend.
The emergency declaration applies to Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Walker, and Winston counties.
Ivey said winter weather poses unique challenges for Alabama residents and urged those in the northern part of the state to remain weather-aware as conditions develop. Forecast concerns initially included ice and freezing precipitation that could create hazardous travel conditions, prompting the precautionary declaration.
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency said it has been preparing for a range of possible scenarios. Agency Director Jeff Smitherman said resources have been pre-positioned across the state and coordination with local agencies remains ongoing to ensure a rapid response if conditions change.
Meanwhile, the Dale County Emergency Management Agency reported that the threat of winter weather in southeast Alabama has continued to decrease. In its latest briefing, issued Thursday, January 22, the agency said forecast trends have pushed the weather system farther north, making winter precipitation in Dale County and surrounding areas increasingly unlikely. Officials noted that the update would be their final briefing specifically addressing the weekend winter weather threat.
According to Dale County EMA officials, a cold front is still expected to move through the Deep South this weekend. However, as the system shifts northward, a warmer and more unstable air mass from the Gulf could move into the region ahead of the front on Sunday. That pattern could bring the potential for isolated strong to possibly severe thunderstorms.
Local emergency officials said they will continue to monitor conditions closely and will issue additional updates if the threat of severe weather becomes clearer. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and remain prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions as the weekend approaches.
Local Forecast for Ozark and Dale County
In Ozark, temperatures are expected to remain mild through the weekend before a sharp cooldown early next week.
Thursday: High near 73 degrees with a low around 51. Rain chances increase through the day, with scattered showers possible.
Friday: Mostly cloudy with periods of rain likely. High near 65 degrees, low around 48.
Saturday: Cloudy skies with occasional rain chances. High near 63 degrees and a low near 54.
Sunday: Rain becomes more widespread, with a high near 69 degrees before temperatures drop sharply overnight to around 26 as the cold front passes.
Monday: Sunny but much colder, with a high near 42 degrees and a low around 19.
Tuesday: Continued cold conditions with sunshine. High near 45 degrees, low near 24.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. High near 52 degrees and a low around 26.
Officials remind residents that weather conditions can change rapidly and encourage everyone to keep up with local forecasts and emergency alerts, particularly as the cold front moves through the region late Sunday.
