The big thaw may be almost over.

Winter weather, including a possibility of snow, returns to Alabama on Friday, but most of the white stuff should remain in north Alabama.

A strong cold front is expected to bring an end to the warmer weather Alabama has experienced this week, and the cold air may get here fast enough to change its accompanying rain over to snow in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters at the weather service in Huntsville said rain could change over to snow or sleet in northwest Alabama by Friday afternoon.

A wintry mix of rain, ice pellets and snow will be possible across the northern part of central Alabama, and forecasters at the weather service in Birmingham said the possibility of freezing rain is also something to watch.

Rain also is in the forecast Friday for south Alabama. Temperatures will dip just below freezing Friday night, but will be in the 20s again Saturday and Sunday nights.