Marginal Risk Expanded to Cover More of Central Alabama Today

The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the Marginal Risk for severe storms across more of Central Alabama with its latest update that was released at 7:52 am. The Marginal Risk now covers locations along and south of a line from Vernon (Lamar Co.) to Coaling (Tuscaloosa Co.) to Fort Deposit (Lowndes Co.).

A trough axis will begin to move through the western parts of Central Alabama today that will keep the main focus of the shower and thunderstorm activity mainly west of the I-65 corridor. With the main heating of the day, there will be enough instability that storms will be able to grow tall and may cause some isolated damaging wind gusts up to 60 MPH down to the surface and some hail up to quarter size may be possible in the Marginal Risk area. Timing for the potential for stronger storms will be from roughly 1:00 pm to around 9:00 pm.

There is potential for these storms to be heavy rain producers as well with precipitable water values up around and slightly over 2 inches. We may also see some training of cells which may lead to brief ponding or even some localized flash flooding issues.

For the eastern half of Central Alabama, rain chances will be much less but we can still expect a few scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop during the main heating of the day. While stronger to severe storms are not likely outside of the Marginal Risk area, one or two storms may briefly become strong with gusty winds. Highs look to top out in the mid-80s to right at or just over 90 degrees.

All the shower and thunderstorm activity will begin to calm down as we get to sunset and into the night as we’ll be losing the daytime heating. Other than one or two lingering showers being possible, much of Central Alabama will be dry by midnight. Lows will be in the lower to mid-70s.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather