What a great article from J.B. on the Blizzard of 1993 (the post below this one)...

If you want to see some pictures and read stories from our viewers, go here:

http://www.jamesspann.com/blizzard.html

I put that together three years ago at the tenth anniversary.

Thirteen years ago this morning, the temperature was sitting on 2 above zero at Birmingham Airport. It was the coldest temperature ever recorded during the month of March without any competition. That record stands out like a sore thumb.

It was, of course, the aftermath of the great Blizzard of '93. The huge storm had moved on into Canada and left Alabama clear and cold. With a deep snow cover, there was nothing to keep the temperture from plummeting.

It was one of those rare occasions (extremely, extremely rare) when the entire state of Alabama was snow covered, although amounts were less than 1/2 inch in some areas near the coast.

THE SNOW CHAMPION
Walnut Grove has the honor of receiving more snow than any other Alabama community in this huge storm. I believe their geographic location figured in. Walnut Grove is located on US-278--the main route between Gadsden and Cullman. It is near the Blount-Etowah County line in an area where the moisture laden east winds had to rise because of Straight Mountain and even more as the winds encountered Sand Mountain. This extra lift could have increased the snowfall.

THUNDERSNOW
Many Alabamians who had never seen lightning or heard thunder when it was snowing, had something to remember. Some of the heaviest snow fell during thunder and lightning. The lightning had an eerie bluish-green appearance, which made it even more weird.

SNOW TOTALS
Here is an extensive list of official snowfall totals from that giant storm. I don't think we have ever posted this before.

20 inches at Walnut Grove
17 inches in Valley Head
16 inches in Oneonta and Bessemer
13 inches at Anniston, Talladega, Pinson and Birmingham Airport
12 inches at Thomasville, Childersburg and Scottsboro
11 inches at Sylacauga
10 inches at Cullman, Clanton and Heflin
9 inches at Thorsby
8 inches at Ashland, Centreville, Moulton and Guntersville
7 inches at Alexander City, Huntsville and Whatley
6 inches at Camden, Evergreen, Jasper, Livingston, Andalusia, Haleyville and Highland Home
5 inches at Auburn, Winfield, Muscle Shoals and Chatham
4 inches at Montgomery, Union Springs, Vernon, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Frisco City, Greenville, Troy
3 inches at Brewton, Hamilton, Bay Minette and Mobile Airport
2 inches at Atmore and Robertsdale
Trace at Coden and Fairhope

HUGE SNOWDRIFTS
Remember, these are average snow depths at each location and it does not include the drifts. The snowdrifts were humongous in some areas, especially by Alabama standards. The drifts were 5 and 6 feet deep in parts of the Birmingham metropolitan area. Also, the Birmingham snow total (officially 13 inches at the airport) was exceeded in the higher elevations around town. For example, where I lived at the time in the Huffman area not far from Medical Center East (elevation about 800 feet), the total was 17 inches. After the storm, the National Weather Service received a report of some 15-foot drifts in the higher terrain of NE Alabama.

NOT A RECORD SNOW FOR EVERYONE
While this was a super event for much of the state, especially because of the wind-driven snow, it was nowhere near a record for many areas. The snow depth trailed off considerably in the NW part of the state. Hamilton, for example, received only 3 inches. They have received much heavier amounts in other storms. Muscle Shoals, Vernon and Tuscaloosa only had 4 inches. Auburn's 5 inches pales when you compare it with their biggie around Valentine's Day in the 1970s when they were buried in over 14 inches. The snow was also much lighter over South Alabama, especially from Montgomery southward.

ELSEWHERE IN THAT HISTORIC EVENT
Chattanooga got 20 inches of snow--breaking their all-time record...snow covered the north half of Georgia, but Atlanta only received 4 inches...an amazing 50 inches fell on Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina and 18 inches at Asheville...in Virginia, 40 inches fell at High Knob...30 inches fell at Frostburg, Maryland; 44 inches at Snowshoe, West Virginia; 40 inches at Halcott Center, New York; 35 inches at Kancamagus, New Hampshire and over a foot in most of Maine...5-foot drifts were common across Massachusetts.

WINDS
Winds over 50 mph were associated with this giant storm causing widespread tree and structural damage from the NW Florida coast northeastward to New England. Highest winds clocked were 110 mph in Franklin County in the Big Bend of NW Florida and 101 mph at Flattop Mountain, North Carolina.

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
A lot of all-time low pressure readings were set:
28.44 inches at Wilmington, Delaware
28.51 inches at Richmond, which broke the previous record in Hurricane Hazel in 1954
28.94 inches at Augusta, Georgia
28.89 inches at Asheville, North Carolina
28.60 inches at Raleigh, also breaking the Hurricane Hazel record in 1954
28.63 inches at Columbia, South Carolina, breaking the record set during Hurricane Hugo in 1989
28.41 inches at Dover, Delaware and that was the lowest of the entire storm

FINAL THOUGHTS
Enormous examples of neighbors helping neighbors and strangers helping strangers during this historic event. Much of the state remained paralyzed for days. How can we EVER thank all of the utility people, rescue personnel, you name it. They responded in such a way that they should have received all kinds of rewards.

The Blizzard of 1993 is already folklore in Alabama. This great story will be told for generations to come. Why don't you print this story for your scrapbook for future generations?

The Blizzard of ‘93 is already folklore in Alabama—an event that will never be forgotten. Today, however, let’s discuss some other March snow events in Alabama.

While snow is unusual in March, it may not be as unusual as you think.

On March 24, 1983, moderate to heavy snow fell in parts of Central and North Alabama in the wee morning hours. At daybreak there was 5 inches on the ground at Lafayette, 3 inches at Clanton and Sylacauga and 2 inches in Birmingham and Valley Head.

On March 21, 1915, nearly 3 inches of snow fell on Birmingham—one day before the official arrival of spring. It quickly melted when afternoon temperatures reached 48.

A more widespread snowstorm came to Alabama on March 13, 1924. A heavy wet snow covered a large part of North and Central Alabama. The snow clung to everything and caused lots of damage. There were major interruptions in communications. It was probably the most damage ever in March from a snow or ice storm until the Blizzard of ‘93.

In that 1924 storm, Birmingham got 6.5 inches of snow—all of it falling in less than 12 hours. At that time, way back in 1924, Birmingham had 50 long distance telephone circuits and 45 of them were crippled. Western Union reported all telegraph lines were down except one to New Orleans. The Birmingham Weather Office was cut off from everybody.

At Greensboro in Hale County, there was the unusual sight of mockingbirds and robins hopping about in the heavy snow. Greensboro and Talladega got 6 inches, Clanton 4 inches and Anniston 5 inches.

On March 24, 1983, a 2-inch snow fell in Birmingham—the latest measurable on record.

Did you notice that all of these snow events in this story occurred in the latter half of March except the one on March 13?

So, what does all of this mean? It means we cannot absolutely rule out a risk of snow until deep into March. This is no hint that we are looking for one later this month. No indications of that right now.

Life goes on--snow or no snow.

While the official temperature topped out at 83 in Birmingham Saturday afternoon, many areas of the West had plenty of snow to talk about. A few notes:

* Flagstaff, Ariz., where only 1.6 inches of snow had fallen this winter until a few days ago, has been getting heavy snow today. They are expecting 12 to 24 inches before the winter storm abates later Sunday.

* Already, 10 to 20 inches has fallen today on the Eastern Mogollon Rim (in the White Mountains southeast of Flagstaff) and they may get 30 inches.

* Snow showers are expected in Las Vegas and also in Death Valley tonight!

* A Heavy Snow Warning is in effect above 2,000 feet in the Phoenix area tonight. By late this afternoon, snow has been reported in the NE part of the Valley, including the Cave Creek area and North Scottsdale.

* An amazing 90 inches of snow fell in only 24 hours yesterday at Moosehead Lake, Montana.

*327 inches of snow now on the ground at the Rubicon No. 2 Snowtel measuring station in the California High Country, elevation 7499 feet.

*165 inches of snow now at Crater Lake National Park Headquarters, elevation 6473 feet.

* 208 inches on the ground in Washington State at the Mt. Ranier Ranger Station.

* Nearly an inch of rain fell at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport today ending their long record string of 143 days with now a drop of rain. Nearly two inches fell in parts of the Phoenix area. However, between December 30, 1971 and June 6, 1972, Phoenix went 160 days in a row with no MEASURABLE rain. This means they could have had some sprinkles during that time.

Amazing stuff...

LOW TEMPERATURES THIS MONDAY MORNING

19 (18.6) at Black Creek with heavy frost (NE Etowah County)
20 in Fort Payne (private weather station)
21 at Fort Payne Airport, Gadsden, Florence
22 at Pinson, Crossville, DeSoto State Park, Munford (heavy frost Munford)
23 at Cullman, Meridianville, Leeds, Guntersville, Jasper
24 at Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Harvest, Albertville, Parrish
25 in Moulton, Muscle Shoals, Alabaster (heavy frost also at Alabaster)
26 in Anniston, Hartselle, Millers Ferry, Northport, Vinemont
27 at Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa*
28 at Shelby County Airport, Section, Vestavia, Reform, Hueytown/Concord
29 at Mentone, Tuskegee, Lillian, and atop Mt. Cheaha
30 in Selma
31 in Bluff Park, Clay (higher elevations stations Birmingham area)
32 in Mobile and Grand Bay
34 in Hoover
31 in Gulf Shores, Bon Secour

* Tuscaloosa temperature based on hourly reports

I am a huge football fan, and I think one my only real talents is to turn any situation into a football game. If today's winter weather event were a football game, Old Man Winter would be kneeling down to let the clock run out. If you're not a football fan, that doesn't make a lot of sense, but the idea is that temperatures are slowly rising and the threat of ice is diminishing across Central Alabama.

Current Advisories
Winter Weather Advisory for Cullman, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, DeKalb, Marshall, Morgan, Franklin, and Colbert Counties until noon. The good news is that precipitation is limited to drizzle and very light showers in this area. The bad news is that the thermometer still reads between 28 and 31 degrees everywhere north of US 278, so bridge ice isn't going anywhere for at least a few hours. For a list of road closures in the Tennessee Valley, click here ALDOT

Freezing Rain Advisory for Central Alabama has expired. Current temps are hovering near 36-37 degrees in Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Birmingham, Gadsden, and Calera. No icing is expected in the Birmingham Metro Area, just a steady, cold, miserable rain!

Walker County Crash
We have to also report some bad news from Walker County. A fatal accident occurred on I-22 near Carbon Hill early this morning. Law Enforcement in Walker County has reported that an icy bridge caused the crash. As of 9:20 AM, this is the only ice-related fatal accident we are aware of in the state.

All Federal officies are closed today and almost all schools, so that should decrease the number of cars on the road considerably this morning. That is good news.

Not a major icing situation by any measure across Central Alabama...places like Tuscaloosa-Birmingham-Anniston. However, there could be some spotty icing until roughly 9 am. The NWS Freezing Rain Advisory extends until that time.

By far, the more significant icing is further north from say Cullman and Walker County into the Tennessee Valley--especially the latter.

* Cullman schools (city and county) delaying opening till 10 am.

* Earlier, State Troopers reported some ice on bridges in Walker County

* Some scattered ice in North Jefferson County

* Blount County Dispatch advises no reports of ice problems in Blount County so far

SPOT REPORTS
32 in Trussville with a mix of light rain/freezing rain
30 in Cullman with mixed precipitation
32 in Fort Payne, cloudy
29 in Muscle Shoals, cloudy, 0.02 rainfall since midnight all with sub-freezing temps
33 at Birmingham Airport, up one degree past hour, drizzle
33 in Tuscaloosa, light rain
33 in North Gardendale
34 in Helena and Riverchase
32 in Bluff Park (Shades Mountain, Birmingham Area)
36 at Shelby County Airport
35 in East Lake (eastern part of Birmingham)
32 in Clay, near Deerfoot Parkway (NE Jefferson County)
34 in Indian Springs Village
34 in Hueytown with 0.08 rainfall so far

REPORT FROM STARKVILLE, MISS.
Gary Goggins, 3340 Weather Watcher reports freezing rain still falling. Has not rained hard enough or has it been cold enough to cause a significant problem on roadways. We have some pretty nice tree glaze on cars.

TYPOS
Please pardon if you find any. Lack of sleep and short on coffee. Also malnutrition has set in...very hungary

Be sure and read below this post for other information that is current. James Spann will also have his usual complete discussion posted here around 6 or soon after.

* Alabama State Troopers report ice on bridges and overpasses in Walker County

* Tuscaloosa Police and the State Trooper Post at Tuscaloosa report no known problems across Tuscaloosa and Pickens County so far.

* State Troopers at Florence report that crews are out in Marion County. Probably sanding bridges and other needed areas.

Widespread rain, mostly light, and drizzle continues over a large part of North and Central Alabama early on this Monday morning. Light freezing rain is common over the extreme north and there is a mix across Central Alabama.

The Freezing rain advisory was expanded earlier this morning and it now extends southward to near the Carrollton-Tuscaloosa-Calera-Roanoke line until 9 am (approxmately)

This means that all of the Greater Birmingham area is included.

Caution is definately recommended as you drive this morning. This is especially true on bridges and overpasses. Temperaturees have dropped to around 31 in the NE part of the Birmingham area.

Here is a roundup of conditions, including reports from private weather stations in the area:

29 in Hamilton (Skycam)
28 in Huntsville, freezing rain
29 in Decatur, freezing rain
30 in Cullman, mix of rain, freezing rain
32 at Birmingham Airport, light rain
34 in Tuscaloosa, light rain
33 at Black Creek (NE Etowah County) no ice yet
31 on Sweeny Hollow Road, West Trussville, freezing drizzle
31 in Clay, near Deerfoot Parkway, NE Jefferson County
31 in Bluff Park on Shades Mountain (Birmingham area)
32 in North Gardendale

Jason Simpson, driving from Alabaster to ABC 33/40 in Riverchase around 4 am, reported no ice so far, not even tree glaze.

At 6 o'clock, little or no precipitation in Alabama.

Scattered light precipitation was developing over South Arkansas, North Louisiana and maybe Extreme West Central Mississippi...spreading east.

The NWS, Birmingham issued a Special Weather Statement pointing out the possibility of patchy light freezing rain or drizzle possible late tonight across North Central Alabama, mostly after 10 pm.

Mostly north of a Milport-Berry-Warrior-Gadsden line, but possibly some also as far south as Tuscaloosa-Birmingham-Jacksonville.

Earlier, the NWS, Huntsville has posted a Winter Weather Advisory for tonight and early Saturday for Extreme North Alabama roughly from Cullman County northward.

Some of the towns/cities included:

Florence
Russellville
Athens
Decatur
Huntsville
Guntersville
Scottsboro
Fort Payne

Upper level disturbance moving across tonight will create some light precipitation.

Cold enough in those areas for it to be light freezing rain or freezing drizzle.

Back to all rain around mid-morning Monday.