The major winter storm moving across the U.S. has reached Alabama.

Sleet and freezing rain were already reported north of Interstate 20 early Saturday morning by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

The storm is bringing a dangerous mix of ice, heavy rain and bitter cold to Alabama, with impacts expected to last through the weekend and into early next week.

Currently, three counties are under an ice storm warning, while an extreme cold watch has been issued for central Alabama.

Here are the latest winter storm updates.

Where are ice storm warnings in Alabama?

The National Weather Service has issued an ice storm warning for Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin counties, effective from midnight through 6 p.m. Sunday.

Significant ice is expected, with ice and sleet accumulations of up to 1 inch possible. That level of ice can weigh down trees and power lines, increasing the likelihood of power outages and blocked roads.

Extreme cold watch for central Alabama

In addition to ice and rain, NWS forecasters are warning of dangerously cold temperatures following the storm.

An extreme cold watch is in effect for much of central Alabama, including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Auburn and surrounding cities, from late Sunday night through Monday morning.

According to the NWS, wind chills could drop to 3 degrees above zero, posing a serious risk of frostbite and hypothermia for anyone without adequate protection. Prolonged subfreezing temperatures may also cause water pipes to freeze and burst.

Timeline of the winter storm in Alabama

The storm is expected to change rapidly over the weekend. Here’s what the NWS says:

• Saturday: Temperatures warm by noon, allowing precipitation to transition mostly to rain. Some ice melting is possible.

• Sunday: Colder air returns, changing rain to sleet or freezing rain, especially across northern and central Alabama.

• Early Monday: Precipitation ends statewide, but dangerous cold settles in.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama braces for ice storm. Here’s the latest forecast