Waves of Widespread Rain & Thunderstorms Expected in Alabama

“Starting tomorrow morning, Central Alabama will experience waves of widespread rain and thunderstorms, continuing intermittently through Saturday,” said the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

Updated Risk Areas

The Storm Prediction Center has updated its forecast, shifting the "slight risk" (level 2 out of 5) southward. Meanwhile, a "marginal risk" (level 1 out of 5) now extends far north.

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said: “There would be very limited surface-based instability over the northern half of the state; the main threat of strong to severe thunderstorms will be across the southern counties through tomorrow night.”

With the current update, the Townsquare Media Coverage area is mainly in the marginal risk zone.

Updated Timing

The overall timing for severe weather is Friday afternoon through Friday night from Noon until 11 p.m. However, the Townsquare Media Coverage Area will be on alert between Noon and 5 p.m.

The risk of flooding will be from Friday through Saturday afternoon.

Possible Threats

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said the main areas of concern in the southern two-thirds of Central Alabama are “tornadoes, damaging winds up to 60 mph, large hail, and localized flooding.”

The heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding, which is a concern as 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are expected, with locally higher amounts of up to 6 inches.