National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Snowfall of January 17, 2013 

During the overnight hours of Wednesday, January 16th, a strong upper low pressure system began moving eastward across Mississippi.  Deep Gulf moisture combined with the cold core of the system and cold air being pulled in from the north led to a classic snow setup for parts of the Deep South.  Rain quickly turned to snow across portions of Mississippi during the overnight hours Wednesday.  After dropping several inches of snow across central and eastern Mississippi, the system crossed into Alabama on the morning of Thursday, January 17th.   The first reports of snow came out of Pickens, Sumter, and Lamar Counties shortly before 7am. The rain/snow line quickly progressed eastward across Central Alabama through the day, with the snow ending in the east by 6pm.

When all was said and done, generally  1-3 inches fell across the northern half of the state, with locally higher amounts of 4-5 inches also reported.  Thundersnow, a very rare occurrance here in the South, was observed with the heaviest snow band as it moved across Tuscaloosa, Walker, Jefferson, and St Clair Counties.  Road conditions became hazardous in areas where snow fell quickly and heavily.  Icy roadways led to numerous traffic accidents in some counties, and travel came to a halt in a few locations.  Road conditions improved by mid morning on Friday as temperatures rose into the 50s, but visible satellite imagery (bottom right image) showed that there was still some snow cover on the ground.  

 Click here for the Local Storm Reports from the event.

The following map shows a general and preliminary estimate of the snowfall across central Alabama.  Keep in mind that small scale features and micro-climates will lead to varying amounts, even from backyard to backyard and neighborhood to neighborhood.  This map may be updated periodically as more details come in.

Courtesy of  Myra Blackston in Jasper, AL

Courtesy of Karen Beck in Hueytown, AL

Courtesy of James Simms in Tuscaloosa, AL

Courtesy of Elizabeth Laera in Bluff Park, AL

Courtesy of  Bart Smith in Clay, AL

Courtesy of Tara Goggins in Alabaster, AL

Courtesy of Stephan Frank in Munford, AL

Courtesy of Sara Price in Blountsville, AL

Courtesy of Heather Hall in Parrish, AL

Courtesy of Mallory Steelfox in Jasper, AL

Courtesy of Will Hall on Mount Cheaha

Courtesy of Taylor Veazey at the Univ. of Alabama campus