In north Alabama, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has issued a travel advisory due to ice-coated bridges and roads. Many roads in the country are unsafe for travel, officials said, and “we strongly advise against venturing onto the roads today.”

Although snowfall is projected to only be 1 to 3 inches in total (and upward of 4 inches toward the mountains), residents are still advised to stay off the roads. Those commuting to and from work Friday afternoon should stay alert when driving in wintry weather conditions.

A winter storm is expected to blast the southern United States with heavy snow, ice and rain Thursday and Friday.