Severe storms possible in Alabama today

Alabama severe weather outlook update 3

Most of Alabama could see strong storms today, but the areas in yellow have the best chances.

The risk of severe weather is in the forecast through tonight for a large part of Alabama.

Strong to severe storms are expected to develop ahead of a cold front and track through the state from west to east.

Some of those storms could contain wind gusts up to 60 mph, frequent lightning and heavy rain. A tornado or two can’t be ruled out, either.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has a large part of the state under some sort of severe weather risk, but south Alabama has the best chance of seeing severe storms.

Areas in yellow in the map above (updated just after 11:30 a.m.) have a slight risk of severe weather, which means scattered severe storms will be possible. The slight risk has been removed for areas farther north in the latest update.

The rest of Alabama has a marginal risk, which means isolated severe storms are possible.

The front could bring an inch or more of rain to parts of the state, which could help battle drought conditions.

Here’s a look at what to expect by region:

SOUTH ALABAMA

Southwest Alabama severe weather risk

All of southwest Alabama will have a slight risk of severe weather this afternoon, mainly from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.

All of southwest Alabama has a slight risk of severe weather today, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.

The strongest storms could have damaging winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain.

The main timeframe for storms will be from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m., the weather service said.

The Storm Prediction Center said just before noon today that a tornado watch may be needed for part of the area this afternoon. Forecasters said the “threat for isolated damaging wind and a couple of tornadoes should persist into the afternoon along the central Gulf Coast.”

Forecasters said those closer to the coast will have the highest chances of seeing strong storms this afternoon.

The storms won’t reach southeast Alabama until later this evening, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Fla.

Damaging winds are the main concern, but “a tornado or two” can’t be ruled out, forecasters said.

Southeast Alabama severe outlook

Storms will approach southeast Alabama later this afternoon and into the evening.

CENTRAL ALABAMA

The severe weather threat for central Alabama today remains “highly conditional and marginal,” according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

As of Monday afternoon the weather service has removed the risk of severe weather for the northwest part of the region -- but it has also added a slightly higher risk for the southeast corner, where there have been some breaks in the clouds today.

Central Alabama severe outlook update

A slightly higher risk of severe storms has been added for the southeast part of central Alabama through this afternoon and tonight. The severe weather threat has ended in the northwest part of the region.

Damaging winds up to 60 mph and a brief tornado will be possible with the strongest storms.

Rain and storms could will track eastward through tonight, exiting east Alabama as late as midnight.

NORTH ALABAMA

North Alabama severe weather outlook

All of north Alabama has a marginal risk for severe weather today.

All of north Alabama has a marginal risk for severe weather today, according to the National Weather Service in Huntsville.

The threat of severe weather has diminished overall, forecasters said, but wind gusts of 40-60 mph will be possible in stronger storms.

Storms are expected to move into north Alabama ahead of a cold front, making it to northwest Alabama around noon.

They will track eastward through the afternoon and could weaken as they do, the weather service said.

North Alabama could get needed rainfall, however, between 0.75 inches and 1.25 inches, according to the weather service.

North Alabama storm arrival times

Storms could reach northwest Alabama by noon today and track eastward.

Drier and cooler air is anticipated to follow behind the front for Tuesday.

The weather should stay dry and mostly sunny until Thursday, when the next system begins to affect the area.

Rain chances are forecast to climb late Thursday into Friday, but no severe weather is expected at this point.

There’s uncertainty about how soon the rain moves out this weekend. Some models show drier weather for the weekend, but other keep rain in the forecast through Sunday.

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