East Alabama Ice Storm - January 28 & 29, 2005

East Alabama Ice Storm - January 28 & 29, 2005

An upper level low pressure system moved out the Southern Plains and into the Southeast United States, bringing abundant gulf moisture into the state of Alabama. The gulf moisture mixed with cold dry air at the surface, which was being funneled into the region from the east. The combination of moisture aloft moving over the colder and drier air at the surface resulted in freezing rain across much of Central and East Central Alabama that lasted from Friday evening, January 28th, until Saturday afternoon, January 29th.

Significant icing occurred across Randolph and Chambers Counties. One quarter to one inch of ice accumulations was reported countywide. Widespread power outages occurred due to icing on power lines, and trees that fell onto power lines, due to the weight of the ice that accumulated on them. Across Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair, Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega, Clay, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Lee counties, widespread icing occurred on elevated and colder surfaces. Reports of ice on trees, bridges and vehicles were common in these areas. Across the higher elevations on Mt. Cheaha, one half to one inch of ice accumulated. No widespread power outages occurred across these areas, although a few weak tree limbs were reported down due to the icing. Light icing occurred as far west as Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, Chilton, Elmore, and Eastern Autauga Counties, with ice forming mainly on elevated and metal surfaces.