A few strong storms possible Saturday in Alabama

A few strong storms possible Saturday in Alabama

A few strong to severe storms remain possible in parts of Alabama on Saturday, according to forecasters.

The strongest storms could have damaging winds and heavy rain. The tornado threat has diminished, according to the National Weather Service, but some storms could have some small hail.

The best chance for stronger storms today looks to be limited to areas closest to the coast.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has a Level 2 out of 5 risk still in place for some areas in Baldwin County. A Level 2 risk means scattered severe storms will be possible.

A larger part of south Alabama has a Level 1 risk today and could have to deal with isolated severe storms.

Nearly the entire state should see at least a little rain today, which could help with Alabama’s ongoing drought. The driest areas in the state as of the last U.S. Drought Monitor report were in north and north-central Alabama, where Level 3 out of 4 (or extreme) drought is holding on.

Alabama was still in a drought, but the worst drought conditions backed off from north Alabama in the past week. More rain in the forecast for the weekend could bring more improvements.U.S. Drought Monitor

The National Weather Service said a couple of rounds of rain will be possible today and into Sunday. Many areas in north and central could get another half-inch to an inch, and parts of south Alabama could see even more.

Five counties in southeast Alabama — Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston — remain under a flood watch until Sunday. The weather service thinks 2 to 4 inches of rain could be possible today into Sunday in those areas.

Forecasters said a complex of rain and storms will move east along the Gulf Coast today. If that plays out it will keep the best chances for strong storms confined to south Alabama.

Rain and strong storms also affected parts of south Alabama overnight, but none reached severe limits. The weather service in Mobile had not relayed any reports of damage as of early Saturday morning.

Look for several rounds of rain and possibly a few storms through tonight. A cold front is expected to move through the state late tonight into Sunday, but no severe weather is expected with it.

Rain chances will diminish from east to west on Sunday, with drier weather expected for the first part of next week.

After today severe storms are not expected in Alabama through the next week.