Severe storms this afternoon and tonight

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – We have declared an initial weather alert day today (12/28/24) and this evening due to the potential for strong and severe storms. There is a slight risk of isolated severe storms in western Alabama during the late afternoon and evening (2:00 p.m. CST – 8:00 p.m. CST). The greatest threat to all of central Alabama will likely occur this evening between 8:00 p.m. CST Saturday and 6:00 a.m. CST Sunday as a line of storms moves through central Alabama. Damaging winds of up to 60 miles per hour, large hail, heavy rainfall and an isolated threat of tornadoes are possible. You have several options for receiving alerts from today until tonight.

We’ll start the day mostly dry and cloudy with temperatures in the upper 50s and lower 60s. West Alabama is slightly warmer than East Alabama. Patchy fog cannot be ruled out before 9 a.m. CST. Use caution as visibility could decrease to half a mile or less. The big story today is that a strong cold front is expected to move into our area this evening. Strong storms have already formed in northeast Texas this morning. This system is likely to pose a significant threat of severe storms across portions of Louisiana, southern Mississippi and Sumter County, where a Moderate Risk (red) – threat level 4 out of 5 – has been issued. The moderate risk area has the greatest potential for multiple tornadoes. The environment in this region will also be favorable for strong (EF-2+) and widespread tornadoes this afternoon and evening. An elevated risk (orange) – threat level 3 out of 5 – has been issued for West Alabama. Damaging winds and an isolated threat of tornadoes are expected across this region late this evening and tonight. Areas along and east of I-65 are at Slight Risk (yellow) – Threat Level 2 out of 5. The threat is reduced to Slight Risk, but damaging winds of up to 60 mph and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

It is expected to remain mostly dry and cloudy in the morning hours. Isolated storms may occur in western Alabama this afternoon and evening between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. CST. An isolated severe storm cannot be ruled out. Just be aware of the weather if you live west of I-65 this afternoon and evening. A line of storms is expected to form along the cold front. It will push from west to east overnight. I think we will see widespread impacts across central Alabama on Sunday between 8:00 p.m. CST and 5:00 a.m. CST. The line of storms may produce very heavy rainfall, damaging winds of up to 60 mph, large hail and an isolated threat of tornadoes. We highly recommend tuning in to your NOAA weather radio this evening. Make sure the batteries are fresh in case there is a power outage. It is a great device that can alert you when an alert is issued. Temperatures today are expected to warm into the mid 60s, with southeast winds of 5-15 mph. Winds this evening will pick up from the southeast to 24 to 40 km/h, with gusts up to 60 km/h. I highly recommend securing all patio furniture and Christmas decorations before the stormy weather moves through.

Drying Sunday: We are expected to see storms moving out of eastern Alabama between 6 and 7 a.m. CST on Sunday. Tomorrow will be dry and windy with westerly winds 10-15 mph. We could see gusts of up to 25 miles per hour. I think it will remain partly cloudy tomorrow afternoon with highs in the lower to mid 60s. Temperatures could begin to drop north of I-20 Sunday afternoon. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see temperatures in the 50s Sunday afternoon in parts of Marion, Winston, Cullman, Walker, Fayette and Blount counties.

New Year’s Eve forecast: We will likely see temperatures remain above average on Monday and Tuesday, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s and 50s. A cold front is forecast to move into central Alabama on New Year’s Eve. Tuesday is expected to be mostly cloudy with a 20% chance of a scattered shower. I think most of us will stay sober as we ring in the new year. Temperatures are expected to cool to the upper 40s early Wednesday morning. The first day of 2025 will likely end cool and mostly sunny with highs in the lower 50s. In the second half of the week, temperatures are likely to fall below freezing again. Long-range models indicate a significant risk of very cold air flowing into the Southeast between January 8 and 12, 2025.

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