Late Week Damaging Wind and Hail Threat Possible for West, Central Alabama

The South is looking at another severe weather threat. Yesterday was a rough day for Texas and Oklahoma. “There were eight reports of tornadoes from northwest Texas into Oklahoma, with damage reported in Seminole, Oklahoma, and in Lockett, Texas,” said The Weather Channel.

WARM DAY AHEAD

Today, the weather will be very summer-like. James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said that “temperatures will rise into the 87-90 degree range across most of Alabama today, for some, it will be the warmest day so far this year.”

TONIGHT

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has some areas of Alabama in a "marginal risk" area. This is for North Alabama and the Far Western counties. If you are in these areas, please stay weather aware and prepare for gusty winds and hail due to the thunderstorms that come into Alabama ahead of a cold front.

The activity window is between 7 pm tonight and 2 am Friday. If you live in these counties, it would be a good idea to be sure your phones are not silenced when going to bed. This way you can receive any necessary weather information.

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FRIDAY

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has published a "slight risk" which is a level 2 out of 5. This is for areas east of a line from “Fort Payne to Gadsden to Hoover to Thomasville” said Spann. The rest of the state is under a "marginal risk" level.

Other important notes from James Spann

We are not expecting any tornadoes, based on forecast wind profiles. The main threat with heavier storms will come from hail and strong, gusty winds.

 

Storms will likely weaken early tomorrow morning but will increase in intensity again by mid-morning into the early afternoon hours over the eastern half of the state.

 

Higher severe thunderstorm probabilities will be over the eastern half of the state during the midday and early afternoon hours (9 am-2 pm).

National Weather Service in Birmingham Highlights

Tonight:

Where: Far west and northwest counties, roughly along and west of a line from Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Walker Counties.

When: 7 pm tonight to 2 am Friday

Threats: Damaging winds up to 60 mph and quarter size hail

Friday:

Where: All of central Alabama

When: 9 am to 5 pm

Threats: Damaging winds up to 60 mph and ping pong ball size hail

(Source) For more from the National Weather Service Birmingham, click here. Click here to follow the Facebook Page for James Spann. Click here for more details from the Weather Channel.