Midday Look At The Alabama Weather Situation

We have a rather volatile weather situation for Alabama over the next 36 hours. We need to mention this is what we expect during March, April, and May… the prime spring tornado season months. This is not unprecedented or unusual. But, as with any severe weather threat, you need to pay close attention and put yourself in a place to hear severe weather warnings.

THIS AFTERNOON/TONIGHT: SPC maintains a risk of severe storms for about the southern two-thirds of Alabama…

Strong to severe storms will develop near a surface boundary over South Alabama later today, and as the front moves northward as a warm front rain and storms will creep up into the central counties of the state. The primary threats later and tonight will come from strong straight line winds, small hail, and heavy rain. The tornado threat is very low.

TOMORROW AFTERNOON/TOMORROW NIGHT: There is an “enhanced risk” of severe storms for parts of North and Northeast Alabama, including cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, Anniston, and Gadsden. The standard “slight risk” runs down to Eutaw, Camden, and Andalusia.

New model data shows STP (Significant Tornado Parameter) values as high as 6 over North Alabama late tomorrow afternoon…

TIMING: The main window for severe storms in Alabama will come from 3:00 until 10:00 p.m. A few storms could fire up earlier than 3:00 over the far western side of the state, but hey will gain in intensity after 3:00.

THREATS: Storms tomorrow afternoon and evening will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. A strong tornado can’t be ruled out.

RAIN: Rain totals will be generally 1/2 to 1 inch, but the storms will be scattered in nature and some places won’t get that much. Flooding should not be an issue.

CONFIDENCE: Based on new model data, forecast confidence is now medium to high in the severe weather potential for Alabama. There are still some questions about the low level wind fields after rain and storms we expect tonight.

As I stated at the top of this post, severe weather threats are VERY common in Alabama in March, April, and May. There is absolutely no need to be fearful, just be prepared.

*Be sure you can hear warnings if needed. NEVER rely on an outdoor warning siren; if that is your main way of hearing warnings, you have little hope of hearing them indoors. Have a NOAA Weather Radio in your home or business, and a good app designed for warnings on your smart phone like WeatherRadio by WDT.

*Know the safe place in your home. Small room, lowest floor, away from windows, and near the center of the house. If you live in a mobile home, you have to leave and go to a shelter or site built structure.

*In your safe place, be sure you have a helmet for everyone to wear (not just children)… it is also good for everyone to have a portable air horn, and be sure and wear hard sole shoes.

Stay tuned to the blog for updates!!

Tags: ANC, storms

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS