Severe weather in Alabama, possible tornadoes

ALERT DAY: Tornado warning in effect as severe storms batter Alabama

Updated: December 28, 2024, 8:26 p.m. CST

THIS IS WVTM 13 WEATHER. The bull’s eye is pointed toward our west here Saturday afternoon, but at some point the threat of severe weather will extend to Alabama this evening and early Sunday morning. IT’S NOW IN MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA AND TEXAS, AND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CONFIRMED TORNADOES, SOME OF THEM CAUSING DAMAGE, AND SOME REPORTS OF DEATHS ACROSS PARTS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS, WITH SOME OF THE MORE INTENSE STORMS LOCATED THERE. THIS IS HOW IT GOES OUT IN ALABAMA. The colors are really eye-catching, but I really don’t want you to pay too much attention to the difference between red, orange and yellow. IT’S ALL STATISTICS. It’s about studying where storms are most likely to be severe. Think of it this way: There’s simply more energy for storms here in Tuscaloosa than in Anniston and Gadsden, and Birmingham and Shelby County are right on the dividing line between the two. The showers we’re having right now are actually doing us a favor by preventing very, very sticky air from heading north. The air cooled by the rain will be a big help, but may not be enough to completely eradicate a severe weather threat for Alabama, as a few thunderstorms can already be seen in Choctaw County and Sumter County, just southeast of Meridian. THERE ARE NUMEROUS WARNINGS IN MISSISSIPPI CURRENTLY. ACTUALLY ONE THAT IS SOUTHWEST OF ROLLING FORK WHICH HAS A VERY Distinctive TORNADO SIGNATURE HERE THAT COULD VERY WELL PRODUCE A TORNADO HEADING TOWARD ROLLING FORK. And if you remember, it wasn’t that long ago. THIS ROLLING FORK WAS DECIMATED BY A VIOLENT TORNADO. This doesn’t look quite as powerful, but it’s something to keep an eye on. And then before that, about an hour and a half ago, there was a large tornado near Bude, Mississippi. AND THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE. DEREK SIBLEY FROM OUR SISTERS DOWN AT WDSU IN NEW ORLEANS CAPTURED THIS VIDEO ON HIGHWAY 84 JUST EAST OF BUDE. This was the tornado itself, and it grew larger as he watched it pass. A TORNADO IS CONFIRMED IN SOUTH LOUISIANA NOW. This whole line of thunderstorms will move across Alabama tonight, and it’s all about the muscles. WHAT CAUSES THE STORMS BECAUSE WE REALLY DON’T HAVE THE SAME KIND OF FUEL THAT THEY HAVE IN THE SOUTHWEST. So what happens with this strong wind will make a big difference in how the storms ultimately move through Alabama. Therefore, the strongest winds will be a few thousand feet above ground level over Mississippi and western Alabama around 9:00 this evening. BUT LOOK AT THIS. That shoots toward Tennessee, leaving us sort of in between, between the fuel and between the strongest storms. Therefore, the threat to Alabama may gradually diminish as the evening progresses. BUT I STILL WANT YOU TO BE ATTENTION. Speaking of being on alert, what time do you need to be on alert? LET’S bring in METEOROLOGIST JORDAN WEST. SCHEDULE AND IMPLICATIONS. GO. Go ahead and keep going. As you said, today is an alert day. That’s true later this evening as the storms move from Mississippi into Alabama and could produce wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour, strong enough to knock down a few trees. WE CANNOT RULE OUT THE POTENTIAL OF A TORNADO OR TWO AND THEN THE POTENTIAL OF LARGE HAIL UP TO ABOUT 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER. That’s the size of a ping pong ball. There is quite a bit of hail as we head out this evening. Here’s a look at the schedule for tonight and tomorrow morning. WEST ALABAMA ALONG HIGHWAY 43 BETWEEN 9:00 PM AND 2:00 AM, INCLUDING TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES. GREEN, HAIL, SUMTER, PICKENS, LAMAR, WINSTON, HAMILTON COUNTIES. And then it will continue east toward the Interstate 65 corridor. THIS IS NOW JEFFERSON COUNTY, SHELBY COUNTY, ONEONTA IN COLEMAN CLANTON CENTERVILLE, BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 4 AM, AND THEN, I BELIEVE THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL LAST QUICKLY AS THE SYSTEM MOVES ITS WAY EAST TOWARD THE ALABAMA BORDER, GEORGIA, FINISHED. THIS IS ANNISTON ASHLAND ROANOKE ALEXANDER CITY, SYLACAUGA GADSDEN, FORT PAYNE AND CENTER. Between 2 and 6 a.m., when all is said and done, I believe we will see another 1 to 2 inches of rain between last night and early morning. I’m not too worried about a widespread threat of flooding, but that’s exactly what could happen in some local areas. BUT HERE’S A LOOK AT THE COVERAGE OF WHAT COULD COME FROM MISSISSIPPI TONIGHT FROM 9 PM. Notice the zigzag here? These storms come from the main line. THESE ARE ARCH SEGMENTS, meaning we could see some pretty strong wind gusts initially. WHEN THIS SYSTEM FIRST COME IN ALABAMA. Like I said, this will be a weekend. The further east this system goes along the I-65 corridor at this point, it’s 11 p.m. tonight and then it heads to East Alabama at 1 a.m. tomorrow morning. The leading edge of this system is definitely the strongest. Once this is over, it won’t be nearly as bad. HERE IS YOUR SEVEN DAY FORECAST. HEAD OUT TOMORROW WE’LL GET TO THE MID 60S, THEN THE WEATHER WILL GET COOLER TO START THE NEW YEAR ON WEDNESDAY, AND LOTS OF CHI AFTER THAT

ALERT DAY: Tornado warning in effect as severe storms batter Alabama

Updated: December 28, 2024, 8:26 p.m. CST

As severe storms move across Alabama overnight from Saturday to Sunday, there is a risk of tornadoes. A tornado warning is in effect until 4 a.m. CST for a large portion of the state, including the following counties: AutaguaBibbBlountChiltonDallasFayetteGreeneHaleJeffersonLamarLowndesMarengoMarionPerryPickensShelbySt. ClairSumterTalladegaTuscaloosaWalkerWinston WVTM 13 has declared Saturday night into Sunday an alert day. This means you should pay close attention to the weather forecast as the weather can be serious or life-threatening. >> Stay informed: How to get all WVTM 13 weather alerts. TIMING: The most active time for central Alabama begins after dark on Saturday and continues until early Sunday morning. Isolated severe storms could develop off the main route as early as 9 p.m. The severe risk will be greater tonight as the air mass becomes increasingly unstable and numerous showers and storms are expected. This is important Multiple ways to receive alerts in case they occur while sleeping. THREATSThe Storm Prediction Center has identified a threat of severe weather for all of Alabama on Saturday. The greatest risk of a tornado developing is over southwest Alabama and extends back into Mississippi. Moderate risk (Sumter, Choctaw, Washington)Elevated risk (Level 3/5) – Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Marion, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Greene, Hale, Bibb, Shelby, Chilton, Perry, DallasLight risk (Level 2/ 5) – Winston, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega, Clay, CoosaA few Tornadoes are possible in addition to damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph and large hail. The greatest risk of a tornado developing is over southwest Alabama and extends back into Mississippi. Ahead of severe storms, gradient winds will occur with gusts of around 40 mph. This is strong enough to bring down trees and power lines. Know your safe location in advance if a warning is issued and have multiple options for receiving weather alerts. Download the free WVTM 13 app and go through your severe weather plan with your family. There is a slight risk of flooding until early Sunday morning. Most areas in central Alabama will see an average of 1 to 3 inches of rain. The storms will end on Sunday. The severe threat will end early Sunday as the storm line moves east and loses strength. A few severe storms will continue drying out across eastern Alabama until 6 a.m. Sunday. For the latest weather reports for your region, click here. Stay up to date with alerts in the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –

As severe storms move across Alabama overnight from Saturday to Sunday, there is a risk of tornadoes.

A tornado warning is in effect until 4 a.m. CST for a large portion of the state, including the following counties:

• Autagua
• Bibb
• Blount
• Chilton
• Dallas
• Fayette
• Greene
• Healthy
• Jefferson
• Lamar
• Lowndes
• Marengo
• Marion
• Perry
• Pickens
• Shelby
• St Clair
• Summer
• Talladega
• Tuscaloosa
• walker
• Winston

WVTM 13 has declared Saturday night into Sunday an alert day. This means you should keep a close eye on the weather forecast as the weather can be serious or life-threatening.

>> Stay informed: How to get all WVTM 13 weather alerts

TIMING

The most active time for central Alabama begins after dark on Saturday and continues until early Sunday morning.

Isolated severe storms could develop off the main route as early as 9 p.m. The severe risk will be greater this evening as the air mass becomes increasingly unstable and numerous showers and storms are expected.

It’s important to have multiple ways to receive alerts in case they occur while you’re sleeping.

THREATS

The Storm Prediction Center has identified a threat of severe weather for all of Alabama on Saturday.

The greatest risk of a tornado developing is over southwest Alabama and extends back into Mississippi.

• Moderate risk (Sumter, Choctaw, Washington)
• Elevated Risk (Level 3/5) – Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Marion, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Greene, Hale, Bibb, Shelby, Chilton, Perry, Dallas
• Low Risk (Level 2/5) – Winston, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega, Clay, Coosa

In addition to damaging wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and large hail, some tornadoes are also possible.

The greatest risk of a tornado developing is over southwest Alabama and extends back into Mississippi.

Ahead of severe storms, upslope winds will occur with gusts of approximately 40 mph. This is strong enough to bring down trees and power lines.

Know your safe location in advance if a warning is issued and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

Download the free WVTM 13 app and discuss your severe weather plan with your family.

There is a slight risk of flooding until early Sunday morning. Most areas in central Alabama will average 1 to 3 inches of rain.

The storms are coming on Sunday

The major threat will end early Sunday as the storm line moves east and loses strength. A few severe storms will continue over eastern Alabama until 6 a.m. before drying out Sunday.

For current weather reports for your region, click Here. And stay up to date with notifications in the WVTM 13 app. You can download it Here.