Alabama faces severe weather risk today, Saturday: Here’s the statewide forecast
Strong to severe storms will be possible across Alabama today and tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has increased the risk for part of south and central Alabama. Forecasters added a Level 3 out of 5 — or enhanced — risk for those areas in the latest forecast update.
The strongest storms could have damaging wind gusts capable of taking down trees and power lines, heavy rain, and a tornado or two.
And that’s not the only severe weather threat this week. Forecasters are also monitoring for another, possibly more substantial severe weather threat on Saturday as a strong cold front moves through.
The National Weather Service said more heavy rain will also be possible, with an additional 2 to 3 inches possible in areas of the state over the next few days. Flood watches have been issued for parts of north and central Alabama.
Here’s the rainfall forecast through Saturday morning:
An additional 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall on parts of Alabama from now until Saturday morning.NWS
TODAY
Strong to severe storms will be most likely this afternoon through tonight in north and central Alabama, according to the weather service.
South Alabama could have an additional round of storms this morning from about 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., according to the weather service in Mobile.
Today’s storms could have wind gusts as high as 60 mph and heavy rain. A tornado or two will also be possible.
The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather for parts of south and south-central Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy and Greenville.
Much of south and central Alabama today has a Level 3 risk today and parts of north Alabama and southeast Alabama will have a Level 1 risk. (See the severe weather forecast for today at the top of this post.)
A Level 3 (or enhanced) risk means that scattered to numerous severe storms will be possible. A Level 2 (or slight risk) means that scattered severe storms will be possible. A Level 1 (marginal) risk means isolated severe storms will be possible.
More rain is also expected statewide today, and it could cause river flooding and localized flash flooding.
Flood watches have been issued for parts of central and north Alabama and will last until 4 a.m. Thursday.
The north Alabama counties under a flood watch are Cullman, Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb.
The central Alabama counties under a flood watch are Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa and Walker.
SATURDAY

All of Alabama could have to deal with more severe storms on Saturday. And areas in west Alabama could have an enhanced risk.SPC
The weather service said another threat for severe weather will be possible on Saturday as a cold front moves through the state.
The Storm Prediction Center as added an enhanced risk for severe weather for part of west Alabama for Saturday in its latest forecast update. The rest of the state has a Level 2 risk.
The weather service said tornadoes, damaging winds and heavy rain will again be possible. The additional rain could also increase concerns about flooding.
The timing for Saturday’s storms looks to be from the afternoon through the overnight hours, according to forecasters.
Here’s more on today’s weather concerns from the weather service offices throughout the state:
NORTH ALABAMA
CENTRAL ALABAMA

Here’s a look at timing for stronger storms today.NWS
SOUTH ALABAMA

Here’s what forecasters are expecting for south Alabama today.NWS