Key Highlights
- The first half of Saturday is declared a First Alert Weather Day for potential flooding and severe threats in southern Alabama.
- A Tornado Watch has been issued until 10 a.m. for areas along and south of I-20/59, including multiple counties such as Tuscaloosa, Bibb, and Jefferson.
- A Flood Watch continues until 6 p.m. for all central Alabama, with the potential for an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain today.
- Temperatures are expected to be warm in the 60s initially but will drop into the 30s and 40s by Monday morning as a strong cold front moves through.
First Alert Weather Day: Southern Alabama Faces Severe Threat
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The weather forecast for Saturday in southern Alabama is shaping up to be concerning with the declaration of a First Alert Weather Day. This means heightened awareness and preparation are necessary due to potential flooding and severe threats.
Tornado Watch Issued
A Tornado Watch has been issued until 10 a.m. for areas along and south of Interstate-20/59, including counties like Pickens, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Perry, Jefferson, Shelby, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Talladega, St. Clair, Clay, Etowah, Calhoun, Cleburne, and Cherokee. The severe threat is aimed at these regions as the storm system moves through.
According to Matt Daniel from WBRC, “These counties are under a significant risk of seeing a severe storm capable of producing a tornado and damaging winds.” This underscores the importance for residents in these areas to stay vigilant and be prepared for potential severe weather events. The public is advised to have multiple ways to receive weather information during the morning hours.
Flood Watch Continues
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. for all central Alabama, with the potential for an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain today. While the main threat is over noon, a few showers could linger into the afternoon. The public is reminded not to drive through flooded areas and to follow the “turn around, don’t drown” safety advice.
“We are monitoring a warm front across Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Chilton, Coosa, and Tallapoosa counties,” Daniel notes. “Anywhere along this front has the greatest chance of seeing an isolated strong or severe storm.” The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting a slight risk for the southern half of the state.
Weather Outlook: Saturday to Next Week
Saturday morning starts warm and muggy, with temperatures in the 60s. By noon, the severe and flood threat should be over, but there’s still a chance for some areas to record an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain by evening. The afternoon will likely see only isolated showers.
By Sunday, it will turn breezy and chilly with temperatures in the mid-30s early morning.
Winds will shift from northwest at 10 to 15 mph overnight into Monday, possibly creating a wind chill near freezing. Monday looks clear with highs climbing into the lower 50s south of I-20.
Into next week, another strong cold front is forecasted for Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning. It could bring scattered showers, though snow remains unlikely.
The end of the week will remain chilly, with temperatures in the upper 40s and 20s to 30s, while the weekend looks to have a disturbance that could produce more showers.
Residents are encouraged to download the WBRC First Alert Weather app for free on Android and Apple devices to stay updated. With this comprehensive weather outlook, safety remains paramount as we navigate through these potentially challenging conditions.
Breathing life into the forecast, Daniel concludes, “Make sure you’re prepared, have multiple ways to receive information, and stay safe out there.”