Snow possible Friday, Sunday

Meteorologists are keeping a close watch on two developing weather systems that could bring snow to the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Sunday.

Kurt Weber, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Huntsville, said a storm system that is expected to develop late tonight could bring up to an inch of snow to parts of north Alabama on Friday.

The snow is expected to fall south of a line stretching from Tuscumbia to Scottsboro, with only a dusting to 1/4-inch expected in Colbert County. Up to 1/2-inch is possible in southern Franklin County.

The heaviest snowfall in north Alabama is expected in Cullman, Morgan and Marshall counties.

If the system moves farther south than expected, there could be no snowfall in the Shoals, Weber said.

"There remains a great deal of uncertainty about this event," Weber said.

"If there is any snow in the northern counties, we expect it will be light. The greatest potential for snow will be in the central Alabama counties."

Forecasters said snow is more likely in the Shoals on Sunday when another storm system moves through the Southeast.

"This system is looking more certain to bring snow to the northern counties," Weber said. "It's still too far out though, to say how much or exactly where it will snow."

With the potential for snow later this week and early next week, Mike Melton, director of the Colbert County Emergency Management Agency, recommends area residents monitor forecasts for possible winter weather advisories.

"Hopefully we will miss out on the snow, but given the uncertainty in these forecasts, everyone needs to pay attention to the weather reports," Melton said.

In addition to watching the developing weather systems, forecasters and emergency managers continue to monitor water levels on Pickwick Lake, where a flood warning remains in effect for low-lying areas along the Tennessee River.

Water levels were falling Wednesday, but could rise later this week as rain that fell upstream Monday and Tuesday makes its way down the Tennessee River.

Low-lying portions of McFarland Park are expected to remain flooded at least through today.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.