Two rounds of rain, and storms, will be possible across the northern part of Alabama late Thursday into Friday
According to forecasters, there will be the possibility of severe storms in both rounds – and the strongest storms could have damaging winds and hail. Tornadoes are NOT expected; that first round of storms could begin to affect north Alabama this afternoon; ANOTHER round will be possible overnight and into Friday morning. The National Weather Service has continued to note the threat for severe weather is a “low-confidence” one, and the timing is also more uncertain than usual.
The Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 2 out of 5 (or slight) risk, for severe weather for northwest Alabama later today – and also a Level 1 (marginal) risk for severe weather, for the northern third of the state – from roughly Tuscaloosa and Birmingham northward. There will also be a Level 1 risk for parts of north and central Alabama on Friday.
A Level 2 risk means scattered severe storms will be POSSIBLE – isolated and severe storms will be possible in the Level 1 area. The National Weather Service in Huntsville, said northwest Alabama, has the best chance for seeing strong storms. The weather service added that neither round of storms looked better or worse than the other, and both could cause damaging winds and hail. The storms could reach the northwest part of the state by 3:00pm today, and push eastward through the rest of the afternoon and into tonight.
The second round of storms is expected to move through early on Friday morning and the Storm Prediction Center also has a Level 1 risk for parts of north and central Alabama on Friday. A Level 1 risk for severe weather will continue into Friday. The National Weather Service says the second line of storms is expected to continue pushing eastward across the state after sunrise Friday. The second round of storms could enter northwest Alabama by midnight Friday and continue eastward.
More wet weather is expected on Saturday into Sunday, and Sunday even south Alabama could see some rain. Drier and cooler weather is expected to take hold in the state by Monday