Meanwhile, much colder air was blowing into the state this afternoon and the cold front was pushing into east and SE Alabama. By nightfall today, it will already be freezing or lower over much of north and west Alabama headed to the low and mid 20s at daybreak. You will really feel the biting cold tomorrow as NW winds of 15 to 25 make it feel even colder and the temperature struggles to reach the 40-degree mark. We project a low of 23 Thursday morning and clouds will be moving in during the day.

NOW ABOUT FRIDAY: You may see a number of differing forecasts on what will occur Friday. A lot of that can be blamed on weather models that traditionally change their mind several times before a snow event in the Deep South. A low-pressure area will develop over northern Mexico by Thursday morning and move into the Gulf of Mexico by Friday morning. Some of the weather models take it much further south than our last storm system. In fact, one projection is through the Florida Straits. If that happens, it would reduce the risk of snow in Alabama except the extreme south. But it is far, far too early to put much confidence in that. To try to project snow amounts this early will lead to disappointment. After all, it is still three days away and often it is not easy to project snow amounts even 24 to 36 hours in advance. At this time, it appears that south Alabama has the best chance for at least some snow.

THE WEEKEND: Very cold with lows in the 20s and highs moderating just a bit to around 48 to 50.

THE ALABAMA COAST: NWS/Mobile is calling for a chance of rain Thursday mixing with sleet Thursday night. They also look for snow Friday morning.

A SNOW-COVERED NATION: Well, not everybody, but the official NWS Snow Survey this morning showed 65.5% of the lower 48 with a snow cover. That is not only the most so far this winter, but it is unusual in any winter. This has been a historic winter. Washington has received 45 inches of snow so far this winter—the third greatest amount of all time. In nearby Baltimore, over 60 inches of snow this winter is the second snowiest of all time. Washington weather records go way, way back. This morning there was still 36 inches of snow on the ground at Aberdeen, Maryland and 32 inches at Baltimore-Washington Airport.

MY TINY CORNER OF THE WORLD: Our neighbor up the street, Sue Giovanni, saw 12 robins or redbirds walking around in her backyard last week. Does that mean we can cancel the snow forecast and look forward to spring? Our abode is quiet as a mouse today, because Little Miss Molly is at the Argo Animal Clinic having her teeth cleaned. Every time I walk through the living area this morning in search of coffee, I caught myself looking for her. Normally I would stop and give her a head rub or a belly rub. She would stick her feet straight up in the air to enjoy it more. Life goes on.....

Today's ABC 33/40 Weather Blog highlight: Some snow on Friday???????