December 11 Northwest Alabama Snowfall

Last week on December 11, 2008, a cold core upper level low pressure system moved across the Deep South in the wake of a strong cold front that produced heavy rains, severe storms, and tornadoes. Places like Houston, Texas; Baton Rouge, Hammond, and New Orleans, Louisiana; and Hattiesburg Mississippi all experienced a very rare snow event.

By the time the low approached Alabama, dry air entered the east side of the circulation where the cold air was present. As a result, the area of Alabama that received snowfall was relatively small. Snow fell in Northwest Alabama counties including Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Marion, Franklin, Colbert, and Lauderdale.

The highest snowfall total I found was Hackleburg in Marion County which received 4". Phil Campbell in Franklin County received 3". The NWS Huntsville and NWS Birmingham both posted summaries of the event.

Alabama Storm Chasers made some video of the event:




Alabamawx.com posted numerous pictures of the event.

Here are some of them:

Big snowman Big snowball Hamilton snow Marion County snow

Alabama snow Alabama snow scenes Franklin County snow

Marion County snow

...