The National Weather Services has scaled back its predictions of how much snow metro Birmingham will get overnight.

The forecast now calls for just a dusting of snow in the northern part of the area, with perhaps a quarter inch in some places. South of downtown Birmingham, there will be little or no accumulation at all.

The forecast calls for a fast-moving “clipper” system to move through the area tonight, causing temperatures to fall quickly from daytime highs in the upper 50s. Forecasters anticipate that precipitation will begin as a mix of rain and snow around midnight.

This morning’s forecast had called for as much as half an inch of snowfall for the entire metro area, and a quarter inch as far south as Prattville.

As is the case with most winter weather in our area, forecasts are subject to change several times before the weather event actually arrives.