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Potentially Dangerous Severe Weather Setup For Alabama Wednesday

| March 15, 2021 @ 3:31 pm

THIS AFTERNOON: Showers and storms have been moving steadily eastward across Alabama this afternoon. One shower was rotating north of Birmingham around 3:00 p.m. and did produce a wall cloud, but there was no tornado, and otherwise the storms today have been behaved. We still have a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for much of Alabama thorough the evening hours for the potential of gusty winds and small hail.

A surface front will stall out over Central Alabama tomorrow, and more showers and a few thunderstorms are likely, although it won’t rain all day. A few strong storms are possible with gusty winds and small hail, and SPC keeps most of the state in a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) tomorrow.

MAJOR SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WEDNESDAY: Parameters are coming together for a potentially dangerous severe weather event for Alabama and Mississippi Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night. The combination of a negative tilt upper trough with strong wind fields, unstable air, high storm relative helicity values, and a strong low level jet will bring the risk of severe storms to the state with large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. A few strong/violent tornadoes can’t be ruled out. SPC has most of Alabama in an “enhanced risk” (level 3/5) for Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night… I would not be surprised if that is upgraded to a “moderate risk” (level 4/5) in the new outlook late tonight.

Thunderstorms could begin over West Alabama during the afternoon hours… but for much of the state the core severe weather comes Wednesday evening and Wednesday night… into the pre-dawn hours Thursday.

A few preparedness notes…

*Be sure WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) are enabled on your phone. Look under notifications. Tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, and amber alerts are pushed to your phone via WEA, and it doesn’t involve an app.

*We recommend the ABC 33/40 app for your phone also to push alerts. You can select the warnings you receive, and it works well and is very reliable.

*The most popular NOAA Weather radio is the Midland WR-120. You can find it at most big box retailers, and online sellers like Amazon. Every home and business needs a NOAA Weather Radio! NEVER rely on an outdoor warning siren!

*You need helmets for everyone, including adults, in your safe place. Bicycle helmets and batting helmets work very well.

*It is also a good idea for everyone to have hard soled shoes on (in case you have to walk over a debris field), and a portable air horn (in case you need to alert first responders).

*You can’t stay in a mobile home during a tornado. Know now where you will go in case you are under a tornado warning polygon. Community shelter, a business that open 24/7, etc.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Storms end early in the day Thursday, and some clearing is likely by afternoon as drier air begins to arrive. The high Thursday will be in the low 70s, but Friday will be mostly cloudy and cooler with a high between 58 and 63 degrees. A few sprinkles are possible Friday, but most of the state will be dry.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday will be partly sunny and cool with a high in the 55-60 degree range… then expect sunshine in full supply Sunday with a high in the mid 60s.

NEXT WEEK: The next round of rain and storms comes Tuesday, followed by another one toward the end of the week, according to the latest global model runs. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 1952: On Reunion Island, some 400 miles east of Madagascar 127.56 inches of rain fell in three days in the spring of 1952. This set a world record for the most rainfall in 72 hours. Also, from the 15th to the 16th, 73.62 inches of rain fell in the 24 hours at Cilaos, La Reunion Island in the South Indian Ocean to set a world record.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute show anytime on your favorite podcast app. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.

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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…

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Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos

About the Author ()

James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.

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