A strong Arctic cold front pushed through the region Friday morning and afternoon bringing gusty westerly winds of 20 to 30 mph gusting at times near 40 mph and dropping temperatures from the 40s and lower 50s into the upper 20s and lower 30s in a matter of one to three hours.  Rain and drizzle gave way to snow showers behind the front, with a few convective snow showers reducing visibility to 3/4 mile or less for short periods in moderate snowfall.  Snowfall accumulated in spots from a trace up to three tenths of an inch, especially in northwest and north central Alabama, and on higher elevations where temperatures dropped below freezing a bit faster than valleys.
Due to very wet road conditions from earlier rainfall and additional snowfall, black ice developed rapidly around sunset.  Any melted snow due to traffic on roadways melted and refroze quickly, causing icy conditions to develop during rush hour in the Shoals.  Over one hundred automobile accidents occurred as a result.  Many schools were delayed on the morning of the 13th due to the icy travel.

Winter Weather in FRANKLIN, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Late afternoon moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, very slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.

Winter Weather in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Late afternoon moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, very slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.  Dozens of traffic accidents were reported, many of them multi-vehicle, especially on area bridges.  Fortunately only a few injuries were reported.  Schools were delayed the next morning (13th) due to the slick conditions.

Winter Weather in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Late afternoon moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, very slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.

Winter Weather in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Late afternoon moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, very slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.  Dozens of traffic accidents were reported, many of them multi-vehicle, especially on area bridges.  Fortunately only a few injuries were reported.  Schools were delayed the next morning (13th) due to the slick conditions.

Winter Weather in LIMESTONE, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Late afternoon moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, very slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.  At least three accidents were reported on Highway 20.

Winter Weather in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Late afternoon moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, very slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.

Winter Weather in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Late afternoon moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, some areas of slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.

Winter Weather in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 12-JAN-12 16:00:00 to 12-JAN-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Late afternoon and early evening moderate snow showers produced a quick one to three tenths of an inch of snow in some areas.  Combined with sharply colder temperatures, some areas of slick travel developed rapidly during the late afternoon rush hour.