At least 50 million people were under a winter storm warning as of Thursday as the storm spreads along the Gulf Coast Friday, according to the weather service. The storm should weaken by Saturday, bringing lighter snow between 1 and 3 inches to parts of the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic and the Ohio Valley before exiting off the Carolinas.

Storm Cora” by The Weather Channel is set to shift into Alabama from the west after midnight, bringing a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Also, raising concerns for travel conditions as well.

Schools across Alabama, including some in our coverage area, are making the decision to close Friday as winter weather including snow and freezing rain is expected to impact much of the state.

Weather forecasters say a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow will enter West Alabama shortly after midnight Thursday.

Montgomery Public Schools, Autauga County Schools and Elmore County Public Schools will have classes virtually Friday in anticipation of winter weather, the systems have announced. All MPS after-school activities will be canceled,

Several schools nationwide are choosing to close or transition to virtual learning on Friday as a winter storm approaches. While the decision may not sit well with everyone, school officials emphasize that safety is their top priority.

Many public and private schools throughout North Alabama and southern Tennessee are closing Friday due to the threat of winter weather.