Severe Storms Possible Across Alabama Tomorrow; Dry Sunday
STORMY START TO THE WEEKEND: The sky is partly sunny across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures in the 68-72 degree range. Clouds will thicken tonight, and rain and storms will move into the state after midnight.
SATURDAY’S SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL: We are still looking at two rounds of rain and thunderstorms across Alabama tomorrow. SPC has now defined an “enhanced risk” (level 3/5) for Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Anniston, and points to the southeast. A “slight risk” (level 2/5) covers the rest of the state.
ROUND ONE: An organized mass of rain and storms will move through the state in the general window from midnight tonight to 9:00 a.m. The main threat with “round one” will come from heavy rain; but heavier storms will produce strong winds and possible some small hail. An isolated tornado is possible over the southern half of the state where some surface based instability will be available. There will be a lull in thunderstorm activity late tomorrow morning as the first mass of rain moves out of the state.
ROUND TWO: The air is forecast to become unstable tomorrow afternoon, and additional showers and thunderstorms will begin to form by early afternoon ahead of a cold front.
Thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. The highest tornado probabilities are in areas southeast of Birmingham. Storms will end from northwest to southeast during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Rain totals late tonight and tomorrow will be in the 1-2 inch range for most communities, but some parts of Central Alabama could see three to four inch totals. Flooding issues are possible in scattered spots.
Be sure you have a way of hearing severe weather watches and warnings tomorrow, and have a plan. Also, pay attention to severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings if they are needed. The hail potential with the afternoon storms tomorrow is significant, so you might want to park in a place where you car isn’t exposed.
The sky will clear tomorrow night, and Sunday will be a beautiful day with ample sunshine along with a high in the mid 70s.
NEXT WEEK: Monday and Tuesday will be mostly sunny and warm… temperatures reach the low 80s Monday, followed by mid 80s Tuesday. The latest global model set suggests the next round of showers and thunderstorms will come Wednesday night into Thursday; still too early to know the severe potential. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Jacksonville State will host Davidson tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in the first round of the FCS playoffs. A passing shower or storm likely during the game; storms in the area could be strong to severe with large hail being the main threat. Temperatures will be in the low 70s.
RACE WEEKEND: Rain and thunderstorms are likely at the Talladega Superspeedway tomorrow morning. There will be a break in the rain during the midday hours, but more storms will develop during the afternoon. Sunday will be a dry, pleasant day for running of the Geico 500 with a high in the mid 70s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1999: a horrific hailstorm moved southeast from Pennsylvania across Garrett County, Maryland and into the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. It had weakened some as it crossed Garrett County and the Allegany Front, but as it passed east of Keyser, West Virginia, hail began to increase in size once again. By the time it reached Capon Bridge in eastern Hampshire County, West Virginia, the size of the hail had grown from golf balls to baseballs. As it moved into Frederick County, VA, the hail storm continued to grow dropping golf ball size hail in a swath now reaching from the north of Winchester, south to Stephen City (about 10 miles).
BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.
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Look for my next Weather Xtreme video here by 6:00 a.m. Monday… enjoy the weekend and be weather aware tomorrow!
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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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.Subscribe
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