Chilton County Schools will dismiss at 11 a.m. Thursday due to inclement weather. Superintendent of Education Keith Moore made the decision Wednesday night.

“The weatherman said the heaviest snow was going to come between noon and 6 p.m.,” Moore said.

The National Weather Service predicted between one-half to 1 inch of snow for the Chilton County area Thursday.

The system was expected to hit west Alabama counties by 6 a.m., bringing a slight chance of ice pellets and sleet/snow mix to central Alabama by 9 a.m. Any snow will likely fall between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday.

A chance of flurries will continue into Friday. Lows are forecasted in the low- to mid-teens for Friday through Sunday.

“It’s going to be a prolonged time of cold, cold conditions that we haven’t been used to in a while,” NWS Meteorologist Gary Goggins said.

Motorists are advised to stay updated on weather conditions. Those who do not have to be on the road are encouraged to stay home.

“We could have some slick spots,” Goggins said. “We’re not expecting anything too terribly bad at this point, but just be aware of it and drive slowly and carefully out there.”

AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:

Avoid driving while fatigued.

Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

Make certain your tires are properly inflated.

Never mix radial tires with other tire types.

If possible, avoid using your parking brake.

Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface.

Always look and steer where you want to go.

Use your seat belt.

Tips for driving in the snow:

Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

Drive slowly. Give yourself time to maneuver.

Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling.

Don’t try to power up hills, and don’t stop going up a hill.

Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t.