Alabama Weather Alert: Damaging Winds, Large Hail, Possible Tornadoes
We are encouraging our Townsquare Media coverage area counties of Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Walker to stay weather-aware today through Midnight.
Townsquare Media will provide weather updates and even nonstop severe weather coverage in times of a “Tornado Warning.” You can hear this coverage on our radio stations, Praise 93.3, 92.9 WTUG, 95.3 The Bear, METV 97.5, Catfish 100.1, Tide 100.9, ALT 101.7, and 105.1 The Block.
Risk Levels & Timing
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded portions of our coverage area for various levels of severe weather risks. Here is the breakdown for our coverage area. Please don’t get too caught up in the risk areas but concern yourself with being weather aware.
Storm Prediction Center Risk Areas – Now through Noon
The “Slight” risk area which is a level 2 out of 5 includes a portion of Pickens and Tuscaloosa and all of Sumter, Greene, Halle, Perry, and Bibb.
The “Marginal” Risk which is a level 1 out of 5 includes all of Lamar, Fayette, and Walker and a portion of Pickens and Tuscaloosa.
Storm Prediction Center Risk Areas – Noon to Midnight
The “Moderate” risk level which is 4 out of 5 includes the majority of Sumter, Greene, Hale, and all of Perry.
The “Enhanced” risk level which is 3 out of 5 includes a small portion of Sumter, Greene, and Hale. It also includes the majority of Pickens, Tuscaloosa, and Bibb.
The “Slight” risk level which is 2 out of 5 includes a small portion of Pickens, Tuscaloosa, and all of Lamar, Fayette, and Walker.
Threats
James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said that “heavier storms today will be capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. A few tornadoes are possible as well, mainly in the "moderate risk" area. We note SPC has defined a hatched area through parts of Central, South, and Southeast Alabama where a significant tornado (EF-2 or higher) is possible.”
Tornado Threat
Yes, we do have a tornado threat as well. “It is very rare to have a tornado threat in Alabama in June without a tropical system involved, so this is an "out of season" event,” said Spann.
“The higher risk of a tornado will come during the afternoon and evening hours.”
Potential for Flooding
There is a concern about flooding due to the influx of rain. We do have a flash flood watch in effect until Thursday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m. issued by the National Weather Service in Birmingham.
This covers the following counties: Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, and Tuscaloosa.
(Source) For more from the National Weather Service Birmingham, click here. For more from the Storm Prediction Center, click here. To follow the Facebook Page of James Spann, click here.