BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – We have declared the first half of Saturday as a First Alert Weather Day.
The main threat will be heavy rainfall and the potential to see flooding. We are also monitoring a small window for a severe threat for the southern half of Alabama before 10 a.m.
Have multiple ways to receive weather information during the morning hours. The severe and flood threat should be over noon with only a few showers possible during the afternoon hours.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for areas along and south of I-20/59 until 10 a.m. It includes the following counties: Pickens, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Perry, Jefferson, Shelby, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Talladega, St. Clair, Clay, Etowah, Calhoun, Cleburne and Cherokee counties. Areas under the tornado watch could see a severe storm capable of producing a tornado and damaging winds.
It’s a warm and muggy start to the day with temperatures in the 60s. We are monitoring a warm front that is across Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties. Anywhere along this front and points to the south have the greatest chance to see an isolated strong or severe storm this morning.
The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting a slight risk (threat level 2 out of 5) for the southern half of the state. A marginal risk (threat level 1 out of 5) is slightly north along I-20/59 corridor. The marginal risk includes Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and all the way northeast into Etowah and Cherokee counties.
Odds seem very low for severe storms along I-20/59, but it remains possible and explains why the tornado watch includes Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and into Gadsden. The main focus will be for the following counties: Sumter, Greene, Hale, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and areas to the south until 10 a.m. The main threat will be damaging winds up to 60 mph and an isolated tornado.
A Flood Watch will continue until 6 p.m. for all of central Alabama. Most of the heavy rain threat will continue this morning and end by noon. There’s still a chance for some areas to record an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain today. A few showers could linger in the afternoon, but it won’t present a significant flood threat. Remember to never drive through flooded areas. Turn around, don’t drown!…