Schools planned to get back in the routine Wednesday following a would-be snow day Tuesday that, to many kids’ disappointment, failed to produce enough of the fluffy stuff to even draw the outline of a snowman — let alone build a 3D version of the real thing.

While some areas of North Alabama did get their promised allotment of snowfall, significant accumulations largely bypassed Cullman County — a relief for utilities and public safety workers, but a mild letdown for others.

Cullman Emergency Management Agency director Phyllis Little said it’s better to be prepared for the worst, and relieved when the worst doesn’t arrive. Little said the area’s momentary brush with winter weather yielded no reported travel problems or emergency call-outs.

“I’m kind of disappointed for the kids, because they didn’t get any snow,” said Little. “But, I’m kind of elated because we didn’t have any problems.

“I went in to work at five this morning, and we had not had any calls whatsoever about travel issues. In fact, I hardly saw any snow on the ground at all, except for a little on the grass as I was driving up near the Cracker Barrel.”

Wednesday’s temperatures will still be plenty chilly, but they begin a slow climb through the rest of the week that will culminate in weekend temps near 70 degrees — and a high probability of rain.

Intense cold followed by rain and warmth — it’s a pattern, said Little, that appears to be endemic to the area this season.

“If you think back, this pattern started around Thanksgiving: we’d have a cold spell, and then it would warm up and be wet. Winter’s not over, and we could still see plenty of chances for a precipitation event before spring gets here. Historically, we get our biggest snows around the end of February and the first of March. But for now, we’re out of the woods.”