Tornado Risk Elevated + Severe Weather Threat for West Alabama

The last weekend of 2024 will usher in severe weather threats across the South. The highest danger includes portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

The Weather Channel said it “includes the threat of dozens of tornadoes, some of which could be EF2 or stronger, especially Saturday.”

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Timing

The overall threat will be from Saturday starting around 3 p.m. through Sunday 8 a.m. However, the Townsquare Media Coverage Area is in the zone from Saturday at 3 p.m. to Sunday at 4 a.m.

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist, said the "main show" will come late tonight from 9:00 p.m. through the pre-dawn hours Sunday. All storms should be out of Southeast Alabama by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.”

Because severe weather could persist for several hours, and some storms may hit during the evening and overnight hours, keep your phone on and unsilenced while you sleep to ensure you receive critical weather alerts.

Risk Areas

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said, “Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely this afternoon through Sunday morning across all of Central Alabama. The threat spans from a 4 out of 5 across our southeastern counties to a 2 out of 5 generally east of I-65.”

Bibb - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

Fayette - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

Greene - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5. Southwest section - Moderate Risk – 4 out of 5

Hale - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

Lamar - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

Perry - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

Pickens - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

Sumter - Moderate Risk – 4 out of 5

Tuscaloosa - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

Walker - Enhanced Risk – 3 out of 5

National Weather Service

Modes of Severe Weather

Tornadoes (potential for a strong tornado in the Levels 3 and 4 out of 5 areas)
Damaging winds up to 70 MPH
Large hail up to ping-pong ball size

Tornado Potential

“The highest potential for long-track tornadoes (EF-3+) is across the level 4/5 risk area defined by SPC across parts of LA/MS and far west Alabama this afternoon and this evening,” said Spann. “However, a few isolated tornadoes are certainly possible across the rest of Alabama as well tonight, especially the western half of the state.”