West Alabama Faces Heavy Rain, Flooding Risks & Tornado Threats

As winter storms impact areas across the United States, the southern region experiences an influx of rain and the potential for severe weather.

The Townsquare Media Weather Center is monitoring a system impacting areas of Louisiana traveling across the region toward the Florida panhandle.

Rain and Flooding Outlook

Timing

Steady to heavy rain is expected to arrive this afternoon and continue until Thursday morning.

Risk Areas

The risk zones primarily cover regions near and north of Interstate 20, with reduced impacts further south.

Threats

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said, “This will lead to a low-medium risk for nuisance flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas and a low risk of isolated flash flooding.”

Townsquare Media Coverage Rain Amount Estimates

Bibb – most of the county should expect 2 to 3 inches

Fayette – 3 to 4 inches

Greene – a good portion of the county should expect 2 to 3 inches

Hale – most of the county should expect 2 to 3 inches

Lamar – 3 to 4 inches

Perry - a good portion of the county should expect 2 to 3 inches

Pickens – 2 to 3 inches

Sumter - a good portion of the county should expect 2 to 3 inches

Tuscaloosa – 2 to 3 inches

Walker – 3 to 4 inches

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 Severe Weather Outlook

Timing

The current thoughts on severe weather timing are Wednesday at 6 p.m. through Thursday at 6 a.m. As this system develops and tracks, it could impact the timing of severe weather in our area.

Risk Areas

Ares in West Alabama are under a “slight risk” for severe thunderstorms from the Storm Prediction Center, while the remainder of the state is under a “marginal risk.”

Townsquare Media Coverage Areas Risk Areas

Bibb - Slight risk

Fayette - Marginal risk

Greene - Slight risk

Hale - Slight risk

Lamar - Marginal risk

Perry - Slight risk

Pickens – Almost the entire county is under a slight risk

Sumter - Slight risk

Tuscaloosa - Slight risk

Walker – Almost the entire county is under a marginal risk

Threats

Residents should be aware that the threats are “damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, a couple of tornadoes, isolated flash flooding, and minor flooding of low-lying in poor drainage areas,” said the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said, “A brief, isolated tornado or two can't be ruled out as well, mainly over the southern half of the state where surface-based instability will be available.”

Looking Ahead

There is more to come on the possible severe weather threat for Saturday.

Mary K. – Weather Forecaster