By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

A potential for “one big precipitation” of wet snow, wintry mix is in the Chilton County forecast for New Year’s Eve.

“Right now, we are watching an arctic front that’s going to be coming in over the weekend and will drop our temperatures considerably by the time we go into Sunday,” Meteorologist Jason Homes of the National Weather Service Birmingham forecasted on Dec. 28.

Holmes said precipitation depends greatly on moisture in the area, which is yet uncertain.

“As often is the case, usually the precipitation moves down as the cold air moves in, so it is kind of challenging to get cold air in while we still have moisture around,” Holmes said.

Dec. 31 is expected to be “very cold,” with a high of 39 degrees. New Year’s Eve night is forecasted to be mostly cloudy with a low of 22 degrees.

The following days are described with “highs struggling to get near 40 and lows in the 20s,” according to Holmes.

New Year’s Day is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 36 degrees with a low of 20 degrees that night.

“Tuesday, we will struggle to get near 40 degrees during the day, and [with] Tuesday night, right now, going down to 22 as well,” according to Holmes.

“Honestly, some of those low temperature values may be a little high,” Holmes said. “We may actually need to lower those, if some of the information that we’re getting pans out.”

Chilton residents are advised to stay updated on the weather forecast.

“As we get closer, we’ll fine-tune that forecast,” Holmes informed.

“Definitely don’t be on the road unless you have to, that’s our best advice,” he said. “And don’t venture out unless you absolutely have to be out there.”

For New Year’s Eve, drivers are urged to be particularly cautious on elevated surfaces, such as bridges and overpasses, where ice more easily collects.

Holmes advises residents with any poorly insulated plumbing to turn off water or allow their pipes to drip. Pets and plants sensitive to cold temperatures should be cared for accordingly.

For further updates from NWS Birmingham, please visit weather.gov/bmx/.