Snow is seen blanketing Cullman in this 2015 Times file photo.

As rain storms and sinking temperatures linger over Cullman County, officials are watching the weather closely over the next 24 hours to determine how the massive winter event set to impact the northeast United States might affect the area.

A winter weather advisory, hazardous weather outlook and flash flood watch are all in effect throughout this morning, and could be extended if rain and sleet continues to fall around the city and county. School officials do not expect to cancel or delay the start of school today, though an early dismissal could occur if the temperature drops quickly around midday. That decision will potentially be made this morning.

The National Weather Service predicts rain off and on throughout the day, which could potentially cause some flooding problems when coupled with the overnight rainfall still saturating the ground from Thursday night. Temperatures are expected to drop into the high 20s by tonight, with wind gusts as high as 25 miles-per-hour.

As the temperature continues to drop, snowfall of approximately 1 inch is possible across Cullman County this evening, with the Cullman County EMA predicting the best chance for wintry precipitation to be between 2-6 p.m. Overnight wind gusts Friday could reach up-to 30 miles-per-hour. The upper parts of north Alabama are projected to get as much as 2 inches of snow, with the predictions increasing above that.

Considering school buses travel 4,200 miles and transport almost 6,000 students on 109 buses every day, the Cullman County Board of Education will be watching the situation very closely. The system’s transportation and safety director Jeff Harper said he attended the EMA’s Thursday afternoon weather briefing, and said they’re considering every variable, before he makes any recommendations to superintendent Brandon Payne in regards to delaying or canceling classes. For this storm, Harper said his main focus is on the surface road temperatures and potential icy conditions they could create.

“[The superintendent] ultimately has to make the call that affects so many people,” Harper said. “He realizes any change in the school day is a huge inconvenience to parents. I know he labors over that decision. However, his decision is always what is the best and safest course of action for our students. The winter storm is expected to move past the area by the weekend, with cold but dry weather on tap for Saturday and Sunday.”