12
Sunday might bring not one but 2 rounds of extreme storms to Alabama– and the second one will really be one to view.
NOAA’s Storm Forecast Center on Saturday afternoon upgraded part of main and south Alabama to a moderate threat for serious weather on Sunday. A moderate risk is Level 4 out of 5 and implies that widespread severe storms will be most likely.
Part of Alabama was also under a moderate threat last Sunday (April 12), and there were 24 twisters statewide.
Sunday’s storms are anticipated to come in 2 rounds. Round one might arrive prior to daybreak and last into the early morning hours and bring winds up to 60 miles per hour and hail the size of golf balls.
Round two, expected later Sunday afternoon, will add in the danger of tornadoes.
The Storm Forecast Center said “numerous” extreme storms will be most likely on Sunday from Texas all the way to South Carolina. Forecasters included that a number of strong tornadoes will be possible from Louisiana into Alabama Sunday afternoon and night, as well as big hail.
The increased concern about tornadoes is what prompted forecasters to update the risk for Alabama.
Both rounds of storms might bring flooding rain, and as much as 6 inches will be possible in parts of the state. A flash flood watch has been issued for parts of main and south Alabama in anticipation of this.
The Storm Prediction Center has a large part of Alabama under a threat for extreme storms on Sunday.
In addition to the moderate danger for central and south Alabama there will be an improved threat, or Level 3 out of 5, for the southern half of Alabama, from roughly Birmingham southward except for coastal locations. An enhanced danger means many extreme storms will be possible.
Almost all the rest of Alabama will risk of seeing severe storms too. Just extreme north Alabama might get to prevent the severe weather risk this time around– that area, consisting of Huntsville, Decatur and Florence, as of Saturday afternoon is not in an extreme weather condition threat area for Sunday.
That might change– and forecasters advised all Alabamians to keep a close eye on the forecast on Sunday in case severe storms are able to make it farther north than expected.
Here’s what the weather condition service is thinking will take place on Sunday. The cold front that is passing through today and bringing rain to parts of Alabama will stall at the coast tonight. It is anticipated to move back to the north over night as a warm front.
The front could trigger rain and storms through the morning hours, with storms going into west Alabama anywhere in between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. and tracking eastward through the morning.
The strongest storms may end up being restricted to locations along and south of Interstate 20– although that might alter– and might bring the hazard of heavy rain, harmful winds and big hail.
Then there could be a sort of lull through the late morning and early afternoon hours, which could help the environment prime itself for another round of storms later in the afternoon, according to the weather service.
Forecasters cautioned that there’s still some uncertainty about how the afternoon round of storms plays out.
A cluster of storms could develop in Mississippi and move eastward into Alabama, potentially heightening as it does, according to the weather condition service.
It’s possible that supercells could establish ahead of the primary cluster of storms as well.
There’s also the concern of how far northward the warm front makes it. Areas south of the front will have more unsteady air and a much better possibility for severe storms. Locations north of the front could still see strong storms and also the hazard of flooding, especially if numerous storms track over the very same locations.
Parts of south and south-central Alabama have the prospective to see flooding rain also, with up to 6 inches possible in some locations on Sunday.
Storms are anticipated to leave by Monday, and the weather for the first of the week appears to be on the dry side.
However, the weather service is keeping track of another opportunity for rain– and potentially storms– by late Wednesday or Thursday.
Note to readers: if you acquire something through one of our affiliate links we may make a commission.
