NWS urges safety as winter weather moves in, schools closed

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting heavy winter precipitation for the greater-Birmingham area tonight, including possible accumulation of ice from freezing rain. The area will be under a Winter Weather Advisory from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 10-11.

Based on these reports, Shelby County Schools and Offices will be closed all day on Tuesday, Feb. 11. All extracurricular events tonight will go on as scheduled but Tuesday evening extracurricular events are canceled and will be rescheduled.

"We will continue to monitor weather conditions that may affect Shelby County Schools for Wednesday and Thursday," the system reported in a release. "An announcement concerning our status then will be made later in the day Tuesday."

According to its Facebook page, Hoover City Schools will also be closed Tuesday.

"This includes Extended Day programs, extracurricular activities and after-school programs," the post reads.

NWS reports precipitation will start out as light rain but could become mixed with snow, sleet and freezing rain later tonight and in the early morning hours. Heavier precipitation is forecast to track south of I-20 and could include up to 1/5 of an inch of freezing rain.

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. The NWS is urging drivers to be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibility.