Severe Storms Threaten Alabama: Damaging Winds and Tornado Risk

For the past several days, the Townsquare Media Weather Center has been monitoring information about severe weather that is headed our way.

“S​ome of the classic ingredients for a severe weather outbreak are showing up in computer models,” said The Weather Channel.

Possible Threats

Ahead of the system and not thunderstorm-related, residents can expect gradient winds, which can gust up to 40 mph in some areas in the state.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said the threats for this incoming storm system include “damaging straight-line winds up to 60 mph and few tornadoes.”

“Instability values will be limited, but this is a dynamic system, and strong winds are likely as the line of storms passes,” said James Spann, ABC 33/40 and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist. “Enough in some cases to knock down trees and power lines.”

Risk Areas

The Storm Prediction Center has the majority of Alabama under a “slight risk” for severe storms.

Timeline

The timing for the overall threat is between 7 p.m. Tuesday to 3 a.m. Wednesday.

Townsquare Media Coverage Area Timing Guide

Bibb – Tuesday 9 p.m. – Wednesday 1 a.m.

Fayette – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Greene – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Hale – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Lamar – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Perry – Tuesday 9 p.m. – Wednesday 1 a.m.

Pickens – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Sumter – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Tuscaloosa – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. (small portion of the county until Wednesday 1 a.m.)

Walker – Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. (small portion of the county until Wednesday 1 a.m.)

There will be more to come on this developing weather situation. The closer we get to the actual event, the more the details become apparent. For now, I encourage you to know your safe place, the county you live in (including what section), and your nearby counties.

Mary K. – Weather Forecaster