Local emergency management authorities are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best with predicted snow and sleet for Sunday and Monday.

The National Weather Service at Birmingham is calling for accumulating winter precipitation across most of Central Alabama, beginning late Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.

The highest snowfall accumulation is expected along and north of a line extending from Aliceville-Tuscaloosa-Birmingham-Roanoke, where 4-to-7 inches of snow is possible.

Forecasters say areas south of the line could see snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches with the exception of areas south of Interstate 85 and east of Interstate 65, which could see 2 inches or less.

Light snow could continue on Tuesday with little-to-no additional accumulation, according to the forecast.

In addition to the snow, forecasters also say freezing rain could become a factor with a quarter of an inch or less possible along and south of a line extending from Aliceville-Pelham-Talladega and Fruithurst.

Ice accumulations are expected to range smallest along that line and increase southward.

Interim Dallas County EMA Director Rhonda Abbott said locally, schools and businesses are in a holding pattern to see if predictions hold.

“We’ve got time here not to make rash decisions,” she said.

Although Dallas County and the remainder of Central Alabama are under the winter storm watch that means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may affect travel.

Residents in and around Central Alabama are asked to continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

Pioneer Electric Cooperative has placed field crews on stand-by in anticipation of power outages because of the winter weather.

“Our members are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of outages and for those using generators and other heat sources, use them in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions,” said Jason Settle, Pioneer’s vice president of engineering and operations. “Ice is a huge problem for our power lines, it can weigh the lines down and cause outages. If you see a downed power line, please do not touch or attempt to move it.”

Officials with Pioneer Electric say the cooperative has a comprehensive storm plan that allows it to quickly mobilize crews and equipment to respond to storm-related outages, redeploying company and contractor crews within its service area on short notice to focus extra resources in affected areas.

Additionally, Pioneer can request assistance from other electric utility companies as part of mutual aid agreements.

The cooperative services more than 13,000 members across four counties, including Butler, Lowndes, Dallas and Wilcox. The service area extends into five other counties, including portions of Autauga, Crenshaw, Covington, Conecuh and Monroe.

Officials with Alabama Power said when a storm threatens it prepares its Emergency Management Center to support advance preparation, damage assessment and power restoration.

The center coordinates crew movements in Alabama and among other companies and synchronizes with customer service.