Confidence is increasing that Alabama could see severe weather late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and flooding rain will all be possible as a strong cold front approaches Alabama.
The strongest storms could arrive during the overnight hours, so now is the time for Alabamians to make sure they are prepared and have a reliable way to be awakened if a warning is issued for their area.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather in place for nearly all of north Alabama and a large part of central and west Alabama for Friday. (Friday’s risk map is at the top of this post.)
A Level 2 (or slight) risk means scattered severe storms will be possible.
It’s worth noting that the National Weather Service in Birmingham alerted those in central Alabama that an increased risk could be possible before the storms arrive. So it’s very important to keep an eye on the evolving forecast over the next few days.
Other parts of east and south Alabama will have a Level 1 severe weather risk, which means that isolated severe storms will be possible.
Forecasters said the greater risk for severe weather looks to be in areas west of the Interstate 65 corridor.
The National Weather Service will be watching for two storm modes on Friday. There is expected to be a squall line of storms that pushes from west to east across the state starting late Friday.
But there could also be supercell storms that develop out ahead of the main line. Those storms could contain a threat for tornadoes. Tornadoes will also be possible along the main line of storms, the weather service said.
In addition to storms, flash flooding could become an issue overnight Friday into Saturday morning. Up to 2 inches of rain will be possible in some areas, according to forecasters.
Storms are expected to move out of the state on Saturday, but Sunday could present another risk for severe weather, according to the weather service.
So far the Storm Prediction Center does not have a severe weather risk in place for Alabama on Sunday, but that will be something to watch over the weekend.
(AL.COM / NWS)
