Local law enforcement is giving its final warnings as winter weather approaches North Alabama. “Our message is this: If you don’t have to be on the road, don’t be on the road,” Brent Patterson with the Madison County Sheriff’s office said.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a state of emergency for 37 counties in anticipation of the expected winter weather. The state of emergency goes into effect at 1 p.m. Thursday and will remain for the duration of the emergency,