Storm Update (10:30 pm): Snow falling in earnest, travel extremely hazardous
The winter storm continues in full force throughout north Jefferson and southern Blount counties. Snow depths up to two inches are reported throughout the area, with more expected throught the night.
Nearly all of the preciptation has turned to snow, with some sleet mixed in at times. Still, many roads have a layer of ice unde the snow, thanks to freezing rain earlier in the day. There have also been numerous reports of convective snow, or “thundersnow” — essentially a thunderstorm with snow instead of rain.
Roads are very slick and hazardous throught central Alabama. Interstate 65 is snow-covered from Gardendale northward.
As expected, all area schools will be closed Monday.
The winter weather entered metro Birmingham about 3:30 p.m. By 5 p.m., police were reporting numerous traffic accidents, and icing problems on bridges and overpasses. Roads throughout northern Jefferson County were ice-covered by evening, with a layer of snow on top of the ice.
In a message on The North Jefferson News Facebook page, Gardendale Police advised, “Please stay home unless it is absolutely necessary.”
Governor Bob Riley declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm to facilitate response from state road crews and first responders. State offices, as well as all county offices, will be closed Monday.
The Alabama Department of Transportation is maintaining a list of closed or problem roads at its web site, http://www.dot.state.al.
We’ll have further updates on our web site, and on our Facebook and Twitter pages, as the storm progresses.