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A major winter storm will begin moving into Covington County this morning with conditions expected to deteriorate in the late morning hours.

According to the National Weather Service, this has the potential to be a historic winter storm for the southern half of the area. The local forecast calls for Covington County to receive approximately 2 to 4 inches of snow. A winter storm warning is in effect for the area through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“There have been no significant changes since yesterday’s afternoon briefing. Snow totals have been adjusted slightly,” officials with the Covington County EMA said.

Major impacts are expected across the entire area, even in locations with minor accumulations. This event is expected to be primarily snow; however, some sleet could try to mix in across the Florida Panhandle.

An extreme cold warning is in effect for Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. Wind chills will drop into the teens tonight with some areas dropping into the single digits by Wednesday morning. Wind chills will remain below freezing Tuesday night through the middle of the day on Wednesday.

The forecast calls for many locations not to see temperatures rising above freezing on Tuesday as the snow moves into the area. Temperatures on Wednesday may briefly rise above freezing.

Patchy light snow may start by 9 a.m. across south central Alabama and the northwest Florida Panhandle. The heaviest accumulations are expected late morning through the afternoon.

Temperatures will drop into the teens and lows 20s Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Highs on Wednesday will only reach the mid to upper 30s, so it is likely snow and ice on roads and bridges will still be a concern for Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Mostly clear skies on Wednesday may help to melt some of the snow and ice on area roadways, but any residual moisture will refreeze at night.

For more information visit the Covington County EMA Facebook page or call 334-428-2670.