What Alabamians Need to Know About Tornado & Damaging Wind Threat

Later today, our area will experience severe weather as a line of storms quickly moves across the state.

At any time one of our Townsquare Media coverage areas goes under a Tornado Warning, you can get live weather coverage on our radio stations: Praise 93.3, 92.9 WTUG, 95.3 The Bear, METV 97.5, Catfish 100.1, Tide 100.9, 101.7 The River, and 105.1 The Block.

Timing Outlook

The general threat will be between Tuesday at 5 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 a.m. Most counties in West Alabama are between Tuesday starting 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. However, a few counties are between Tuesday starting 8 p.m. and Midnight. To help you out, here is a county-by-county guide.

Townsquare Media Coverage Area Timing Guide

Bibb: Tuesday, 8 p.m. to Midnight

Fayette: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Greene: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Hale: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Lamar: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Perry: Tuesday, 8 p.m. to Midnight

Pickens: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sumter: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tuscaloosa: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Walker: Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a small section going to Midnight

Risk Area Outlook

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a "slight risk" (level 2 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms for a large portion of the state and an "enhanced risk" (level 3 out of 5) for the southwestern counties.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham highlights all the Townsquare Media Coverage Area counties under a “slight risk.”

Thoughts on the Incoming Threats

The Weather Channel said, “Much of the severe weather threat will be from a squall line marching across the region, but some supercells could develop ahead of this line, as well.”

The main threats are “damaging straight-line winds up to 60 mph and few brief tornadoes,” said the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

James Spann, ABC 33/40 and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist, said, “There will be very little surface-based instability ahead of the line, which will limit the overall magnitude of the event.”

“A brief, isolated tornado is possible within the line, but isn't especially likely for most of Alabama,” said Spann. “However, some unstable air could very well make it into Southwest Alabama, where SPC has defined the "enhanced risk". A tornado or two is possible in this part of the state.”

Stay Weather Area

Be aware of weather conditions, including taking weather alerts seriously. This is a great time to understand the county and section you live in so that when tornado warnings are issued, you are well-informed about which part of the county you live in and can take shelter.

This is a developing weather system that is tracking across many states before arriving in Alabama. Therefore, weather information could change. If it does, we will promptly update you.

Mary K. – Weather Forecaster