Winter storm warning issued for Shelby County

Published 11:51 am Thursday, January 17, 2013

Snow flurries come down in downtown Columbiana in front of the Columbiana United Methodist Church Jan. 17. (Reporter photo/Christine Boatwright)

FROM STAFF REPORTS

A winter storm warning, a hazardous weather outlook and a wind advisory have been issued for Shelby County from the National Weather Service.

The winter storm warning includes Hoover, Columbiana, Pelham and Alabaster, as well as cities in 21 other central Alabama counties. The warning began about 5 a.m. Jan. 17, and will remain in effect until 7 p.m.

Using socks as mittens, Hannah Coley builds her first-ever snowman after the Jan. 17 snow at Veterans Park in Hoover, while her parents, Gene and Heather Coley, and sister Olivia Coley, of Gulf Shores, Ala., look on. (Reporter Photo/Jon Goering)

Snow accumulations from 1-4 inches are expected in the affected areas, according to the National Weather Service website.

The hazardous weather outlook stated the snowy conditions will spread eastward through the afternoon and evening hours.

“Snowfall could be heavy at times … reducing visibility to under one mile, and roads may become temporarily slushy,” the website stated.

Winds will continue to increase and could reach sustained seeps of 15-25 miles per hour, with gusts up to 36 miles per hour.

Kaylee Stallings, of Hoover, explores the snow with her dog, Bentley, looking on as the sun comes out following a Jan. 17 snow event. (Reporter Photo/Jon Goering)

The wind advisory will remain in effect from noon to 8 p.m.