NWS predicts 2-6 inches of snow, schools closed
Published 7:42 am Thursday, February 11, 2010
By Staff
Staff Reports
The National Weather Service in Mobile is planning to issue a Winter Weather Warning at around 1 p.m. today for all of South Central Alabama and Northwest Florida, Escambia County EMA Director David Adams said.
A winter weather warning is issued when there is a probability of 2 inches or more of snowfall or sleet in a 12-hour period. The NWS has a high degree of confidence in this forecast.
Rain will begin tonight and change to snow during the night. Rain will change to snow over the areas all the way to near the coast. The heaviest snow band should be from just prior to sunrise tomorrow and last through mi-afternoon. The snowfall totals for Escambia County are expected to be from 2-6 inches, with some areas seeing slightly more. This will be wet heavy snow and should not have a problem sticking. This will affect power lines and trees, especially trees that still have foliage.
This snow and associated ice will make driving very dangerous. Packed snow on roads and bridges can create ice. Melting snow and ice can refreeze and create "black ice." Bridges will freeze before the roadways. It is recommended that citizens stay off the roadways as much as possible.
County Closings
Escambia County (Ala.) public schools will close tomorrow due to the possibility of snow.
According to Escambia County Superintendent Billy Hines, schools in the county will close tomorrow and make up the day on Monday on President's Day.
Escambia Academy will also be closed, and headmaster Betty Warren said the school will also remain closed on President's Day.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Courthouse and other County offices will be closed Friday and will reopen as scheduled on Monday, Feb. 15.
According to a release from First National Bank &Trust, the bank will remain open with a decision later tomorrow morning on whether the bank will remain open.
Visit www.atmoreadvance.com for more updates.