Alert: Alabama Braces for Daytime Severe Weather Threat

Severe weather is expected on Friday, January 12, in the Townsquare Media coverage area and a significant portion of Alabama. The active weather that should enter Alabama from the west is part of a larger weather situation.

Timing

The current timing of the severe weather impacts will be from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. This will be from 9 a.m. to Noon (for the majority of West Alabama) and then 2 p.m. for some counties like Bibb and Perry. However, I would like to stress not to get too caught up in timing because as the system tracks closer to Alabama, there could be a shift in timing.

West Alabama County-by-County Timing Guide

Bibb - from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Fayette – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Greene – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Hale – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Lamar – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Perry – from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Pickens – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Sumter – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Tuscaloosa – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Walker – from 9 a.m. until Noon

Risk Areas

The Storm Prediction Center has the state of Alabama divided into 3 different risk areas.

Level 3 - "Enhanced Risk"

Level 2 - Slight Risk"

Level 1 - "Marginal Risk"

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James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said that “the big question concerns the northward extent of unstable air; for now, we believe the highest risk of severe storms will be along and south of I-20, over the southern 2/3 of Alabama. Here are the key messages for the event tomorrow.”

National Weather Service

Main Threats

You should be prepared for damaging winds up to 70 mph, hail up to quarter-size, and some tornadoes. Those in the “enhanced risk” area could see an EF-2 tornado.

In addition, there is a wind advisory for portions of Alabama. Non-thunderstorm-related winds could occur with “sustained winds of 20-30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph,” said the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

Does This System Only Impact Alabama?

The short answer is no.

The Weather Channel said that “damaging straight-line winds and a tornado threat will accompany those storms, especially from central and southern parts of Mississippi and Alabama eastward into much of Georgia, northern Florida, and the Carolinas. That includes the risk of a few strong tornadoes (EF2 or greater), particularly if supercell thunderstorms form.”

The Townsquare Media Weather Center team will be on standby for Friday’s weather events. We will provide nonstop weather coverage whenever a tornado warning is issued for a county under our coverage area.