Severe Weather Threats Face Alabama Through Saturday

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The National Weather Service said most of north Alabama and parts of central Alabama could see some severe storms Wednesday night, and into the weekend.

Strong to severe storms will be possible Wednesday, starting in the afternoon. The threats continue through the night and will not end until the mid to late afternoon Thursday.

"With dewpoints well up into the 60s and even reaching 70 degrees or more later this evening, mixed with a good bit of instability and shear up in the 50- to 60-knot range, the ingredients will be there for severe storm formation," meteorologist Scott Martin said. "Highs will be in the lower 70s to the lower 80s."

The main threat Wednesday will be damaging winds up to 60 mph, with a smaller threat for a few tornadoes and large hail. The threats will be greater in the enhanced risk locations, especially the tornado threat, Martin said.

"Timing for the threat of severe storms will start around noon in northwestern Alabama and will slowly progress southeastward throughout the day, not starting for much of the I-59 corridor until around or just after 6 p.m.," Martin said. "The threat will continue overnight and will not start for southern and southeastern Alabama until around 4 a.m. Thursday morning. The threat will finally end around 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon."

A marginal risk of severe storms is posted Thursday for the southern and southeastern portions of Alabama, mainly along and south of a line from Marion to Talladega Springs to Heflin.

"Showers and storms may end for a while for most locations after the severe threat ends Thursday afternoon; locations in the southern and southeastern parts of the state may continue to see showers with a few rumbles of thunder through the evening and night," Martin said. "Temperatures will remain elevated as there is no cold front involved with this system. Highs will be in the 70s."

"

"Showers and storms will increase throughout the day as a warm front moves northward, and a few isolated damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph may be possible in the risk area," Martin said. "Highs will be in the lower 70s to the lower 80s."

Another threat for severe storms will come Saturday as a strong cold front approaches and eventually enters Alabama.

"We could see a threat of damaging winds up to 60 mph, large hail and a tornado or two," Martin said. "The Storm Prediction Center continues the equivalent of a slight risk for most of Alabama, except for the extreme southern and southeastern parts of the state. Timing for the threat of strong to severe storms looks to be during the afternoon through the late night. Highs will be in the 70s."