The last time more than two inches of snowfall accumulated in South Alabama was in March 1993.
Many remember the "Blizzard of 93" because Alabama was covered in snow, and over 400,000 lost power.
Mobile and Baldwin Counties did not see a blizzard but wind gusts of over 90 mph. Those winds were responsible for sinking a tugboat on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Baldwin County.
Mobile-area meteorologist Dr. Bill Williams said this snow event is more likely to resemble a snow event 20 years earlier. The 1973 snowfall dropped 3.6 inches in Mobile. Williams remembers driving around and seeing snow accumulated on roadways, which is rare due to the surface temperatures of roads.
"What I remember in the 1973 storm, it was during the nighttime hours," Williams recalled. "You didn't get a chance to see it very much. We had, in fact, the sleet the previous day."
"We got a coating of ice, that is, sleet pellets," he continued. "Airport Boulevard become totally snow-packed, which is amazing. I remember driving out that morning. I filmed riding along Airport Boulevard on a snow-packed surface and no other cars in sight but it was an amazing sight."
Williams said a low-pressure system coming off the Texas coast and moving east toward the Florida Peninsula Tuesday could produce dry snow similar to '73.
"This is very rare for this area," Williams told 1819 News. "On average, we get maybe a measurable snow every 10 years. So, the greatest snow we've ever had in Mobile was six inches, and that occurred way back in 1895, and then we had five-inch snow in 1881."
Mobile also saw three inches of snow in 1963. Williams said people react when it snows in Alabama.
"They just go absolutely wild over the thought of snowfall in this area," he said. "Yes, this could be historic. This has the potential to get up in the top five. If everything develops as it appears, as the models and everything show, this could produce quite a bit, so we may end up with two, three, maybe four inches or so."
Williams said snow typically melts quickly in coastal counties. However, it could take longer to melt in some areas.
"The snow will kind of stay around, but what we generally find is that those areas that are in shade, the snow will stay quite a while," Williams explained. "In fact, the snow of 1973, it stayed almost a week underneath shaded areas and under trees and so on, but once the sun hits, it pretty well disappears."
Williams said it is best to avoid roadways until officials give the all-clear.
"The best thing is not to try to drive in it because the snow tends to melt quickly out on the roadway, so it becomes very slick," he added. "So, just don't drive unless you really have to."
With the National Weather Service forecasting up to four inches for coastal counties, EMA officials are preparing for a historical snowfall. They also ask drivers to avoid travel. Baldwin County EMA reminded residents to have extra blankets, batteries and a flashlight and to bring pets indoors.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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