Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 26

   Mesoscale Discussion 0026
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0606 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

   Areas affected...Portions of far southeast AL and the western FL
   Panhandle into southwest and central GA

   Concerning...Heavy snow 

   Valid 181206Z - 181700Z

   SUMMARY...Rain will transition to snow this morning, with snowfall
   rates around 0.5 to locally 1 inch per hour possible for a few hours
   before diminishing.

   DISCUSSION...A secondary surface cold front will continue to advance
   southeastward across AL, GA, and the FL Panhandle this morning. A
   plume of precipitation is ongoing ahead of/near the front across
   southern/southeast AL into much of southern/central GA and parts of
   the FL Panhandle. This activity is being aided by large-scale ascent
   associated with an embedded mid-level shortwave trough moving
   eastward across the Southeast and the entrance region of a
   pronounced southwesterly mid/upper-level jet. Recent RAP/NAM
   forecast soundings suggest that additional modest low/mid-level
   cooling of already saturated profile will support a quick rain to
   snow transition this morning across parts of southeast AL into
   southwest/central GA and the FL Panhandle.

   Latest (12Z) surface observations show this transition already
   occurring across southeast AL, west-central GA, and the western FL
   Panhandle, where temperatures have fallen into the low to mid 30s.
   Expect this trend to continue farther east in southwest/central GA
   through the remainder of the morning. While snowfall rates are not
   forecast to be overly high, most guidance suggests that 0.5 to
   locally 1 inch per hour rates may occur within the most intense
   portion of the precipitation band. These enhanced snowfall rates
   should not last more than a few hours in any given location, as
   rapidly drying low/mid-levels on the back side of the shortwave
   trough will quickly erode precipitation from west to east through
   about 17Z (11 AM CST/Noon EST).

   ..Gleason.. 01/18/2026

   ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...

   ATTN...WFO...FFC...TAE...BMX...

   LAT...LON   30938620 32248492 33078410 33188303 32838259 32218282
               31528361 31058440 30698525 30518585 30658622 30938620