The Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency is warning Alabamians to expect dangerous conditions across the state as winter weather moves through the area today (Tuesday).

At this time, the National Weather Service is projecting snowfall amounts of up to three inches in the most heavily affected areas, however, the impacts from any snow that falls will be amplified by the potentially extreme cold temperatures that will be in place. 

While the Alabama Department of Transportation has been hard at work pre-treating as many interstates and other primary highways as possible in the areas forecasted to be affected, these roadways can still experience potentially hazardous conditions during and after the anticipated winter weather event. ALDOT will continue to treat these roadways with all available resources before, during, and after the event. Drivers on these roadways should stay in lanes that have been treated and/or cleared, as attempting to pass in uncleared lanes may lead to crashes and blocked roadways.

Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution while driving, check road conditions before departing, allow for increased travel times, and adjust arrival and departure times accordingly.

Appropriate driving speeds are determined by the road conditions, which on wet or icy roads should be slower than the posted speed limit. Motorists should slow down and move over if possible when approaching ALDOT and other highway maintenance personnel and emergency vehicles at work.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is reminding Alabamians that one of the most important preparedness steps that can be taken is to put together an emergency preparedness kit with a three-day supply of food, water and other critical supplies. In addition, putting together a preparedness kit for vehicles that includes a car charger, ice scraper, jumper cables and blankets.

It’s also important to stay weather-aware by monitoring the WEIS Radio News and the National Weather Service in your area for the latest weather information.

For the latest preparedness tips visit www.ema.alabama.gov [2].