Famous sign and sled in the window of the Five Points Hardware store in Birmingham. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) Birmingham Office issued a Winter Storm Watch on Wednesday morning for the Birmingham Metro Area.

According to NWS statements and maps posted on social media and their website the northern half of Central Alabama beginning as far south as Shelby County may be in for “impactful winter weather” beginning Thursday night and Friday.

One to three degrees can change the forecast

Should we begin making a run to the local grocery store or preparing a makeshift sled later this week? For the Birmingham area, the NWS Birmingham Office says a couple of degrees warmer or colder can make a big difference.

From their Wednesday morning Winter Storm Watch announcement:

“At this time, the probabilities are increasing that there will some impacts to the area. However, just one to three degrees could dramatically change this setup and will need to be monitored in the coming days.”

Below are the forecast maps:

map — (U.S. National Weather Service – Birmingham Office)

map — (U.S. National Weather Service – Birmingham Office)

Be prepared Birmingham

Ironically, in January 2024, the Birmingham area was preparing for a similar winter storm.

Here are the winter storm preparedness tips Bham Now published back then that still apply today.

With ice in the forecast, do your best to limit your time on the road. If you have to drive, follow these tips to stay safe:

Drive slowly and maintain a larger-than-normal distance between you and other vehicles
Make sure your vehicle has at least half a tank of gas before leaving
In case you get stuck, make sure you bring warm clothing, blankets, food + water, an external phone charger and medical supplies
Avoid hilly or dangerous roads

In addition, make sure someone knows when you’re leaving, your route and when you expect to arrive. That way, they can call for help if you get stuck or lost along the way.

If it’s too cold for you outside, it’s too cold for your pets. See how you can protect your furry friends from the cold weather in Birmingham.

Stay tuned

Longtime Birmingham residents know wintry weather can turn on a dime. Be prepared and keep checking back with us for updates.

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