Wednesday Through Friday Severe Weather Threat Timing Details

A weather system will usher in unstable air to our area that supports the development of rain and thunderstorms. As of right now, there are two rounds of unsettled weather that we are monitoring.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Birmingham said that we can expect active weather “Wednesday afternoon and evening, as well as a stronger storm system late Thursday night into Friday morning. In addition to severe weather, we'll also see strong non-thunderstorm winds Thursday night through Friday afternoon.”

Wednesday Outlook

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said that “moist air returns and scattered showers and storms will form during the afternoon and evening hours. Where thunderstorms form, they will be strong with the potential for hail and strong, gusty winds. SPC has the northern 2/3 of Alabama in a "marginal risk" (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms.”

1st Severe Weather Potential - Marginal Risk – Highlights from NWS

When: Wednesday (1 PM to 11 PM).

Where: Most of Central Alabama.

Threats: Large hail, damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Thursday Outlook

“The day will feature more clouds than sun, and a few showers and thunderstorms are possible. A strong storm can't be ruled out during the afternoon and evening hours as the air will be unstable, but the main dynamic support from the next system will remain to the west, and for now, the risk of organized severe storms Thursday looks low (but not zero),” said Spann.

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Friday Outlook

2nd Severe Weather Potential - Slight Risk – Highlights from NWS

When: Late Thursday night into Friday morning (4 AM to 11 AM).

Where: All of Central Alabama.

Threats: Damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, tornadoes.

Non-thunderstorm wind gusts up to 40 mph are also possible Thursday night through Friday afternoon.

You can plan for this weather system to move pretty quickly. Our coverage area is split between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. and then some counties from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. However, the general window for those in the slight risk area is from 4 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Spann said that “the greatest concern with this line will be from damaging winds, but an isolated tornado is certainly possible as well. It will be a very rough start to the day, and everyone will need to be sure they can hear warnings. Be sure and pay attention to severe thunderstorm warnings Friday morning.”

Issues Not Related to Thunderstorms

There is the possibility of our area experiencing pressure gradient winds which means gusts could reach 40/45 mph at times.

We will bring you all the necessary updates about these two rounds of severe weather.

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