Alabama Faces Late December Severe Weather Threat + Tornadoes

The Yellowhammer State is facing a late December severe weather threat. The Weather Channel said the “main threat area on Saturday is along Interstate 20 from Louisiana to Alabama.”

Timing

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said that a “more robust area-wide risk for severe storms expected to develop tomorrow afternoon through early Sunday morning as a cold front moves across the state.”

Possible Threats

This active weather pattern has the potential for severe storms, including the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds up to 60 mph, and quarter-size hail.

The current timing for the overall threat is Saturday, 3 p.m. through Sunday, 8 a.m. It is a good idea to check back for any timing updates because weather conditions can impact the timing.

Risk Areas

Attention has been placed on the Storm Prediction Center’s risk assignment for portions of Alabama. A portion of West Alabama has been categorized under an "enhanced risk.” Meanwhile, much of the rest of the state, extending toward the I-65 corridor, falls under a "slight risk" level. Farther east, counties closer to the Georgia border are under a "marginal risk.”

Chance of Tornadoes

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist, said that the “Highest tornado threat is over the "enhanced risk" across far West Alabama, but a few isolated tornadoes can't be ruled out over to I-65. The overall tornado threat for East Alabama is much lower.”

Monitoring is Key

“One possible positive situation is that morning/afternoon convection could prevent the air from becoming unstable, keeping the tornado threat lower later tomorrow night into early Sunday,” said Spann. “But, certainly, there is no guarantee that happens, and everyone needs to be weather aware.”