Severe Storms This Evening

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STORMS FORMING OVER NORTH ALABAMA: A severe thunderstorm watch is up until 7p CT for the Tennessee Valley of North Alabama, along with Cullman County. Showers and storms are forming quickly over the northern half of the state, and we expect those storms to become severe over the next few hours.

Storms have the potential to produce large hail, and damaging straight line winds, possibly exceeding 50 mph in many places. It is likely another severe thunderstorm watch will be issued farther to the south soon that will include places like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, and Gadsden.

While storms are possible at just about anytime this evening, the main organized band of storms will drop south; they should be along the I-20 corridor in the 5:00-7:00 p.m. time frame. Then, the band will reach Montgomery around 10:00 p.m. on the journey south. They storms should arrive on the Gulf Coast after midnight, but they should be weakening then.

The overall, broad window for the primary severe weather threat is from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m. As discussed this morning, we encourage everyone to be in a positon to hear severe thunderstorm warnings, and listen to the specific information in the warning along with the call to action… remember, some storms with strong straight line winds can produce damage like a tornado.

The storms will also produce lots of lightning and brief heavy rain.

TOMORROW AND THE WEEKEND: Cooler, drier continental air moves into our state tomorrow. The high will drop into the 86-89 degree range, and the humidity will be lower. Some of the normally cooler spots across Northeast Alabama could reach the upper 50s by daybreak Saturday.

Expect sunny weather over the weekend, with highs in the low 90s Saturday and Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: Moisture levels rise, and scattered showers and storms are possible Monday and Tuesday; the 12Z GFS shows drier air filtering into North Alabama by Wednesday and Thursday. The hottest weather in the nation will remain well to the west of Alabama; our high next week on most days will be close to 90 degrees.

TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected this week. We do note the 12Z GFS brings a tropical storm up into Mobile Bay around June 27-28… but we all know that is pure voodoo for now.

GULF COAST WEATHER: A decaying band of storms will reach the Gulf Coast after midnight tonight, otherwise we expect mostly sunny days and fair nights tomorrow through Sunday with only a very small risk of a shower. Highs on the immediate coast will be in the mid to upper 80s, with 90s just a mile or two inland. Sea water temperatures are generally in the low 80s.

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Stay tuned to the blog for storm updates this evening….

Tags: storms

Category: Alabama's Weather