The chances of seeing snow in West Alabama are looking much higher, as the National Weather Service in Birmingham has already issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Friday (January 6) morning through Saturday (January 9) morning. 

While earlier forecasts seemed to suggest that we'd see a light dusting of snow--if anything--the issuance of a Winter Storm Watch this far in advance seems to suggest a much higher potential for a significant weather event. You can read the full text of the advisory below:

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING.

* EVENT...A STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP WITH POTENTIAL
WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS.

* TIMING...FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

* LOCATION...LARGEST IMPACTS WILL BE POSSIBLE, MAINLY BETWEEN THE
I59 AND I20 CORRIDORS IN THE WATCH AREA. SOME SLEET IMPACTS ARE
POSSIBLE AS FAR SOUTH AS THE I85 CORRIDOR.

* ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WATCH
ZONES FROM THE BIRMINGHAM METRO AREA, EAST AND NORTHEAST. LESS
THAN 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN OTHER OUTLYING AREAS TO THE WEST
AND NORTHWEST OF THE METRO.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

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