Significant Severe Weather Threat For Alabama Thursday/Thursday Night
THIS AFTERNOON: Clouds cover Alabama this afternoon, and large areas of rain continue to move across the state. The heaviest rain is over the southwest counties of the state, where a flash flood watch remains in effect for Choctaw, Washington, Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Escambia, Conecuh, and Monroe counties. Rain will taper off tonight, but clouds will linger.
A surface front will become stationary west of Alabama tomorrow, but we are only expecting a few widely scattered showers. Much of the day will be dry, and the sun could peek out at times. Temperatures will rise into the 76-80 degree range.
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT THURSDAY: A potent weather system with strong wind fields will bring another threat of severe thunderstorms to Alabama Thursday and Thursday night. SPC has much of North and West Alabama in an “enhanced risk” (level 3/5) of severe thunderstorms… this extends as far east as Scottsboro, Pell City, Clanton, and Grove Hill. A “slight risk” (level 2/5) covers the rest of the state.
TIMING: High resolution model data suggests we could see a round of thunderstorms Thursday morning that could be strong, but the main threat will come in the general 12 hour window from noon to midnight.
THREATS: Storms Thursday afternoon and Thursday night will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. A few strong/violent tornadoes are possible.
RAIN: Rain will be heavy at times… keep in mind rain amounts over the northern half of the state will be in the 2-4 inch range through the weekend. Heavier totals are likely over Southwest Alabama, where some spots could see 8 inches of rain over the next five days.
BE READY: Alabamians did a remarkable job of being prepared for the severe weather event last Wednesday, when 25 tornadoes touched down across the state, but with no injuries and no loss of life. We will need the same level of preparedness Thursday. Be sure you have at least two ways of hearing severe weather warnings… a NOAA Weather Radio, and your phone (be sure Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled, and get the free ABC 33/40 Weather app). Know your safe place, and have helmets for everyone in the family there. And, if you live in a mobile home, you can’t stay there during a tornado warning polygon. Know the closest shelter or safe place, and know how to get there quickly.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: A slot of dry air moves into Alabama Friday… the sky becomes partly sunny with a high in the 70s. Then, we will bring back a chance of showers over the weekend. The best chance of rain Saturday will be over the northern half of the state, and even there it won’t be a “wash-out” kind of day. Showers are possible statewide Sunday… some thunder is possible but severe storms are not expected. Saturday will be a warm day with a high in the low 80s… followed by mid 70s Sunday.
NEXT WEEK: The latest global runs keep some potential for rain around here Monday, but for now the rest of the week is looking relatively quiet. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1907: It was the warmest March day ever recorded in Washington, DC with a maximum temperature of 93 degrees. Washington DC has seen three, 90 degrees days in March, all of which occurred in 1907.
ON THIS DATE IN 2007: A tornado obliterates a section of the town Clovis in eastern New Mexico, flattening about 100 homes and businesses, snapping telephone poles and even heaving a trailer through a bowling alley. At least three schools are damaged. The tornado is one of thirteen that strike a dozen communities along the New Mexico – Texas border, leaving two people critically injured.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 6:00 a.m. 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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