The way Huntsville is built you pretty much need a car. I could do without but if I wanted/needed to go anywhere other than school, work, or grocery store Id pretty much be screwed since there is no public transportation and taxis are not reliable. Plus I want a car for when the weather is real bad. I dont see myself doing a whole lot once I start this new job and start going to school again though.
This is coming from somebody who doesn't know anything about Alabama, but...
distances that you might think are too far to travel by bike (to go to places other than work, school, and the store) might not really be too far. A couple people here ride a 35-plus mile round trip every day. For me, places within 12 miles are definitely fair game for the occasional bike trip.
And as for the weather, maybe this won't convince you but I used to commute year-round in Anchorage, Alaska and in Montreal. The snowiest days were the days where I was faster than traffic.
Don't sweat the weather.