Bundle up! Mercury headed toward zero in the Tennessee Valley

HUNTSVILLE – Went to bed living in Alabama and woke up in Alaska.

Heavy rains, high winds and possibly hail and snow could be in the Tennessee Valley’s near future.

The National Weather Service’s Huntsville office predicts showers and storms Friday morning. The storms are capable of producing damaging winds of 75-plus mph in Northwest Alabama.

The service further states a broken line of stronger storms may move west to east mid-morning to early afternoon.

The NWS calls for a 100% chance of showers Friday with the following hazardous conditions:

• Damaging winds up to 60 mph (medium confidence)
• Small hail (low to medium confidence)
• Locally heavy rainfall (low to medium confidence)

Then comes the fun.

According to the NWS, a bitter cold arctic air mass will arrive Sunday night and persist at least into the middle of the upcoming week. Highs will drop into the mid to upper 20s by Tuesday. Lows in the single digits to mid-teens are forecast Monday and Tuesday.

Mornings:

• The combination of the wind and cold air may create dangerously low wind chills Monday and Tuesday mornings near or below 0 degrees.
• A light wintry mix or light snow is possible late Sunday night into Monday and again Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
• There is low confidence in snow totals at this time with the current forecast allowing for minor impacts.

There is a 30-40% chance for snow of 1-inch or greater in portions of northwest Alabama and southern middle Tennessee Monday and Monday night.

The NWS offers these safety tips for threatening weather:

• Dress in layers
• Limit outdoors time
• Check on family
• Keep gas tank half full
• Maintain tire pressure
• Provide food, water and shelter for pets and bring them inside
• Slow drip faucets
• Check heating sources and vents for ice buildup

Good news: Spring starts March 19.