Strong/Severe Storms Possible Tonight And Tomorrow

RADAR CHECK: We have a few small, isolated showers across Alabama this afternoon, otherwise the sky is partly sunny with temperatures in the 86-90 degree range for most communities. But, active weather is likely tonight and tomorrow as a cold front approaches.

TONIGHT: A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9:00p CT tonight for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, and Limestone counties in Northwest Alabama. A batch of storms will enter that part of the state this evening, and they will have potential to produce some hail and strong, gusty winds. But, thunderstorms should weaken later tonight as they move deeper into Alabama.

TOMORROW: SPC has introduced an “enhanced risk” (level 3/5) for parts of East and Southeast Alabama… including places like Montgomery, Opelika, Alexander City, Greenville, Troy, Eufaula, Evergreen, and Enterprise. A “slight risk” (level 2/5) remains defined for much of the rest of the state.

Showers and storms will increase again across Alabama by mid to late morning, and will continue into the early afternoon. Here are the key messages for the weather situation tomorrow…

*The main threat of severe storms tomorrow will come from about 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.. with the higher probabilities over the eastern half of the state.

*The main threat will come from hail and strong straight line winds, but an isolated tornado or two is now possible in the “enhanced risk” area across East and Southeast Alabama.

*It won’t rain all day, and the sun will break out at times.

*A few additional showers will form over North Alabama late tomorrow afternoon, but there won’t be much surface based instability left at that time, and severe storms are not expected then.

*Most of the rain will be out of the state by 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.

Rain amounts should be around 1/2 inch for most of the state with the storms tomorrow, and the high will be in the 78-82 degree range. As always on any active day, be sure you have a way of hearing severe weather watches and warnings if they are needed.

MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND: The weather will be dry and pleasant. Saturday will feature a partly to mostly sunny sky with a high in the mid 70s… Sunday will be a sunny day with a high between 80 and 85 degrees.

NEXT WEEK: The weather stays dry Monday through Wednesday… a few showers could return Thursday and Friday as moisture levels rise from the east. Temperatures will be close to 90 by mid-week, giving us another summer preview. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 1933: Early in the morning of May 5, 1933, a tornado that was at times a third of a mile wide swept through Bibb and Shelby counties. It carved a track 35 miles long, and killed 20 people as they slept. Of those deaths, 14 came in Helena, where rescue efforts were hampered by the darkness and the heavy rains that followed the twister. It has been categorized by the NWS as an F4, and destroyed most of the town of Helena… it roared through at 2:30 a.m.

ON THIS DATE IN 1995: A supercell thunderstorms brought torrential rains and large hail up to four inches in diameter to Fort Worth, Texas. This storm also struck a local outdoor festival known as the Fort Worth Mayfest. At the time the storm was the costliest hailstorm in the history of the US, causing more than $2 billion in damage.

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