Friday Night Storms Could Bring Alabama Tornadoes, Hail, Winds

Just like last weekend, Alabama is facing another late-night into early-morning severe weather threat. We encourage you to have a way to receive important weather information.

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Now is a great time to review your severe weather action plan. We hope that you don’t have to use it but it is ideal to know where your safe place is located in your home/office, have an understanding of the closest shelter to you, and be sure to not silence your phones at night.

Timing

“A potentially widespread severe thunderstorm episode is forecast for Friday, March 31 for portions of the central U.S. Intense damaging gusts & tornadoes are the main hazards expected with storms during the afternoon into the overnight,” said the Storm Prediction Center.

For our area, the current timeline is from Friday 9:00 p.m. until Saturday 7:00 a.m. The timing of this system could be adjusted as we get closer to the weather event.

Risk Areas and Levels

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said that the “SPC has defined an "enhanced risk" (level 3/5) across the northwest corner of the state around the Shoals... there is a "slight risk" (level 2/5) as far south as Aliceville, Gardendale, and Scottsboro. A "marginal risk" (level 1/5) is up as far south as Butler, Clanton, and Heflin.”

Probable Threats - National Weather Service in Birmingham

Tornadoes

Damaging winds up to 60 mph

Hail up to quarter size further northwest

“The highest tornado threat will be in areas north and west of Birmingham,” said Spann.

We are closely monitoring this developing weather system. If there is any additional information we will be sure to update you.

(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.