Midday Nowcast: Severe Weather to the West Arrives in Alabama Later Today

We are seeing a mix of sun can clouds today and our winds are increasing ahead of the approaching storm system. These non-thunderstorms winds could could gust 40-50 mph in spots, and these could bring some tree and power line damage on their own and is why a Wind Advisory is in effect for most of Alabama. A high wind warning has been issued for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Marion, Lamar, Fayette, and Pickens counties, where gusts could reach 60 mph this afternoon and early tonight before the storms arrive.

WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER EVENT: A very dynamic storm system is producing severe weather west of Alabama and these storms are heading towards Alabama tonight. A line of severe storms will sweep into and through Alabama overnight, and while the thermodynamics (instability) aren’t especially impressive for late March, the dynamics are very strong, setting the stage for a potential high impact event for the Deep South and much of Alabama.

Tornado watches are in effect for areas west of Alabama and these will be issued farther east through rest of today and into tonight.

Latest update from the SPC, maintains a “moderate risk” (level 4/5) of severe thunderstorms for areas west of a line from Florence to Birmingham to Montgomery to Troy… the rest of the state (East Alabama) is in an “enhanced risk” (level 3/5).

TIMING: The line of severe storms will push into the northwest corner of the state around 5PM-6PM, then moving quickly eastward. The line should be around I-59 (Tuscaloosa/Birmingham/Gadsden) by 9PM-10PM, then into East Alabama after midnight and exiting Southeast Alabama by 5AM-6AM tomorrow morning.

THREATS: The main concern tonight will come from damaging straight line winds. Stronger storms in the line will be capable of producing wind gusts in the 60-80 mph range, and this could bring down many trees. Some tornadoes are possible, and a few strong tornado (EF-2 or higher) can’t be ruled out. The higher tornado probabilities are over the southern half of the state. Some hail is possible as well.

RAIN: Rain amounts will be in the 1-2 inch range with the storms tonight. Some flooding issues are possible, but the line of storms will be moving at a pretty rapid clip which should prevent major, widespread flooding.

CALL TO ACTION: Again, this has the potential to be a high impact wind event for much of Alabama; plan for power outages. Secure loose objects that might go flying away with strong winds. Pay close attention to severe thunderstorm warnings tonight; if you live in a mobile home I would consider treating a severe thunderstorm warning like a tornado warning and be in a community shelter or business that is open and available as a shelter. Be sure you have multiple reliable ways of hearing warnings (NEVER a siren)… a NOAA Weather Radio and your phone; and be sure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone. Have the free ABC 33/40 weather app installed.

BE A HERO: You can help us. Tell your friends, neighbors, and relatives about the threat, and what they need to do to get ready. And, if they fall in a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning polygon, call them or text them to let them know about the threat. You are our most valuable resource in spreading the word! These kind of events are not unusual for Alabama in March and April. Don’t be anxious or scared, simply be ready and we will get through the night fine together.

Look for a clearing sky tomorrow with a high around 70°.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Look for mostly sunny days and fair nights Friday through Sunday. The high Friday will be in the upper 60s and mostly in the low 70s over the weekend. There will be a chance of showers near the Gulf Coast Saturday as a disturbance moves through the northern Gulf, but most of the state will be dry.

NEXT WEEK: Dry weather continues Monday, but the models bring in our next round of rain and storms Tuesday into Wednesday and it looks to possibly bring out next round of strong to severe storms, but way too early to be specific. Let’s get through tonight before we worry about next week.

BEACH FORECAST CENTER: Get the latest weather and rip current forecasts for the beaches from Fort Morgan to Panama City on our Beach Forecast Center page. There, you can select the forecast of the region that you are interested in visiting.

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