A “significant” winter storm is increasingly likely for parts of Alabama starting late Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters issued winter storm watches for north and part of central Alabama that will go into effect at midnight on Friday.

North Alabama could see 4 to 6 inches of snow, with 8 inches not out of the question in isolated areas, according to the weather service.

Those in the winter storm watch in central Alabama have the potential to see 2 to 5 inches of snow and sleet.

That amount of winter precipitation, combined with very cold temperatures and cold roadways, expected to make travel difficult or impossible in many areas in north and central Alabama starting late Thursday, according to forecasters.

The weather service said hazardous road conditions are expected to continue through Saturday morning as temperatures fall below freezing once again Friday night.

The weather service said some snow or a wintry mix could be possible as far south as the U.S. Highway 80 and Interstate 85 corridors.

The snow or wintry mix could change over to rain for much of the state during the day on Friday, but temperatures are expected to quickly fall below freezing Friday afternoon.

Here’s a look at what to expect by region.

NORTH ALABAMA

The winter storm watch for north Alabama includes these counties: Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman.

The watch will be in effect from late Thursday night through Saturday morning.

The weather service said heavy snow will be possible, with total snow accumulations between 4 and 6 inches and possible with higher amounts up to 8 inches.

CENTRAL ALABAMA

The winter storm watch for central Alabama includes these counties: Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay and Randolph.

It will be in effect from late Thursday night through late Friday night.

The weather service said heavy snow will be possible, mixing at times with sleet and freezing rain. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 2 and 5 inches possible.

SOUTH ALABAMA

No winter storm watches had been issued for south Alabama as of Wednesday morning. However, the National Weather Service in Mobile will be closely watching conditions on Thursday into Friday.

Forecasters noted that there was still “considerable uncertainty” about the type of precipitation that south Alabama could get, but there could be a brief period of snow and sleet for areas generally north of U.S. 84.

The precipitation should change over to all rain on Friday morning, and forecasters think that will limit or eliminate any accumulations or impacts.

However, the weather service noted that “one thing to keep in mind is that just a 1 to 2 degree difference in temperature could change the precipitation type, so this is something we’ll continue to monitor. Trends have been in our favor keeping all wintry precipittation accumulations north of our area, but still, something to check back on.”