West Alabama Friday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Friday, March 14, 2025. This is the 73rd day of the year with 292 remaining.

Friday Morning Observations:

I ran into a lady at the grocery story yesterday who told me she doesn't pay attention to all the hysteria and hype surrounding severe weather outbreaks. She advanced her belief that most are wrong. That is a viewpoint that could end your life.

Granted, forecasting weather is still a somewhat inexact science because Mother Nature can change her fickle mind at any time. Contrary to the lady's belief, with satellites, computers, radar, storm spotters, highly trained meteorologists and past experience; forecasting severe weather is the most accurate it has ever been.

If you knew the meteorologists at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Birmingham and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), you would understand how seriously they take their job, how meticulous they are in developing their forecasts and how they do not like to overplay severe weather. But when all the parameters forecasting a major severe weather outbreak come together there is nothing they can do but disseminate that information to the public and hope it is taken seriously.

The thing to remember is to pay attention to information released by NWS, radio and TV meteorologists. They are trained, degreed and responsible people whose sole mission is to inform and save lives. There are plenty of irresponsible, untrained people on social media giving out unhelpful information and bad advice.

The meteorologist's goal for any severe weather event in Alabama is to reduce chances for loss of life and serious injuries by disseminating timely and accurate information, after that the results are up to you.

Take severe weather seriously, we have had enough experience here in West Alabama over the years with the havoc even weak storms can produce. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning.

What you can do to reduce your risk:

Before Severe Weather:

Pay attention to NWS and SPC advisories, watches and warnings. Have a way to receive them, especially overnight. Activate WEA on your smartphone, have a NOAA Weather Radio programmed, (Don't depend on an outdoor warning siren. They are for people who are outdoors).
Have a plan of action for a place to go for your best safety.

During a Tornado:

Take Shelter Immediately:
If you hear a tornado warning or see signs of a tornado, seek shelter immediately.
Stay away from windows and doors.
Cover your head and neck with your arms and put materials such as furniture and blankets around or on top of you.
If Caught Outdoors:
Find a ditch or low-lying area and lie flat, covering your head.
Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car.
After the Tornado:
Stay inside until authorities say it is safe to go outside.
Be aware of potential hazards, such as downed power lines and debris.
Wear appropriate gear during clean-up, such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves, and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.
(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

Two rounds of progressively worsening severe weather are in the forecast tonight and tomorrow night.

There is an Enhanced (3 in 5) Risk for strong to severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes between 11:00 tonight and 8:00 tomorrow morning. Tomorrow night there is a Moderate (4 in 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms, dangerous strong long-track tornadoes and golf ball size hail.

The Forecast:

Today

Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight

A chance of showers before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1am and 4am, then showers likely after 4am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 7am. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. High near 76. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 54. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Next Week

Sunny days and clear nights. Highs lower to mid 70s. Lows near 40 to start the week, rising to near 50 Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Topping the News:

Governor Ivey Declares State of Emergency Due to Weather Threat

A potentially dangerous severe weather weekend is ahead, and Gov. Kay Ivey is preparing the state for any needed response. She has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties ahead of the impending severe weather.

“The state of Alabama is at risk for potentially dangerous, severe weather throughout this weekend, so it is critical that everyone stays very aware of their local forecasts,” said Ivey. “Now is the time to make any preparations and have a plan, should the weather conditions become dangerous. Certainly, we are no stranger to Mother Nature’s wrath, but I encourage Alabamians to be vigilant beginning tonight. Stay weather aware and stay safe!”

The state of emergency goes into effect starting at 2:00 pm today.

Emergency Management Agencies and first responders are also preparing for the potential for significant severe weather tonight and tomorrow night. That also means community storms shelters will be available once a tornado watch has been issued. You can contact your county's EMA or access their website for the location of the shelter nearest you.

Read More: Governor Declares Emergency for All of Alabama Ahead of Dangerous Weekend Storms

Read More: Storm Shelters Opening in West Alabama: Stay Safe This Weekend!

Hale County Practices Severe Weather Response

It looked like a Hollywood production. More than 600 participants were involved in a full-scale, real-life severe weather training exercise in Greensboro last night. Dozens of already downed trees were brought into the city streets, victims with realistic looking injuries with tags for paramedics to treat them, real ambulance transportation, simulated power outages and media participated in the event.

"The exercise couldn't have been any better timed considering the severe weather in the forecast this week," exercise organizer and Hale County EMA Director Russell Weeden stated. "The exercise brough people from all over the state to participate. These are the same people would help if we were to get hit again."

Hale County has already had three tornado touchdowns so far this year.

A Pending Legislative Bill Would Mandatory Pledge and Prayer in State Schools

A bill sponsored by Cottondale State Senator Gerald Allen seeks to amend the state constitution to mandate public K-12 schools conduct the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer reflecting Judeo-Christian values at the start of each school day…If the bill passes the legislature voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject the amendment in an upcoming election.

Topping Sports News:

Bama vs UK Again!

it will be Alabama and Kentucky for the third time this season. The Wildcats edged Oklahoma 85-84 last night in their SEC Tournament Quarterfinal matchup. The first game of the day today is at noon when #1 seed Auburn battles Ole Miss, who eliminated Arkansas 83-80.

Some Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Wildcats a 6-point favorite.

The game is the last of the day, 25 minutes after the previous game finishes. That should be around 8:00 tonight in Nashville.

Catch the game on the SEC Network and the Crimson Tide Sports Network (95.3 The Bear, Tide 100.9, 1230AM WTBC).

Auburn begins the Quarterfinals at noon today against Ole Miss at noon.

Bama Baseball on the Road

The 17-1 Alabama Baseball team is in College Station, TX for the first Southeastern Conference series of the season. The Texas A&M Aggies are No. 19 Texas A&M in the nation.

Here is the schedule for the games at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park:

Friday, March 14 at No. 19 Texas A&M – 6:00 p.m. CT – SEC Network+
Saturday, March 15 at No. 19 Texas A&M – 2:00 p.m. CT – SEC Network+
Sunday, March 16 at No. 19 Texas A&M – 4:00 p.m. CT – SEC Network

Bama Softball Will Battle the Weather & Mississippi State

UPDATE: Alabama softball opens SEC play this weekend at Rhoads Stadium, hosting Mississippi State for three games.

Due to projected severe weather on Saturday, Alabama and Mississippi State's weekend softball series will now begin with a doubleheader this afternoon at 2 p.m. CDT. Sunday's series finale will remain a 1:30 p.m. CDT first pitch.

Fans with tickets for Saturday in a reserved seating area will have seating priority for game one. Reserved tickets to Friday's game will hold seat priority for game two. Both game one and game two tickets will give fans access to the doubleheader. Kali Heivilin's senior day activities will now take place on Sunday.

Honors for Shelton State Coaches

Shelton State women’s head basketball coach Madonna Thompson and longtime head baseball coach Bobby Sprowl have been named to the inaugural class for the Coaches Legacy Awards. The honor was announced by the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Both coaches starred in their respective sports while students at the University of Alabama.

Sprowl has won more than 1,200 games and has led the Bucs to seven NJCAA World Series appearances and seven ACCC championships, including each of the last two seasons.

Thompson has guided the Bucs to 11 consecutive Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) regular season championships.

Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.

Have a great weekend, watch the weather closely and ROLL TIDE!