Between 1-3 inches of rain followed by snow is in the forecast for Chilton County between 5 p.m. Wednesday and midnight.

The precipitation will likely start out as rain sometime after 3 p.m., and later turn into snow as temperatures drop, according to the National Weather Service office in Calera.

“The best opportunity is probably going to be between 7 and 11 p.m. for the heaviest snow,” said NWS meteorologist Jody Aaron. “It’s just a matter of how quick you see rain transitioning into snow.”

Aaron said motorists commuting home to Chilton County from Birmingham and Montgomery should have relatively safe driving conditions up until approximately 6 p.m. After that, however, “all bets are off,” he warned.

As much as one inch per hour of snow could strike Central Alabama, and the better potential is for the northern half of the county, Aaron said. Although the heaviest precipitation is expected to end by midnight, light snow could continue through 6 a.m. Thursday.

The low Thursday morning is forecast at 29 degrees, while Thursday’s high is about 41. The high could be cooler, depending on the amount of snow accumulation.

“We may not see a temperature above freezing until 10 a.m.,” Aaron said.

Check back to clantonadvertiser.com for winter weather updates.