Another severe weather setup taking shape next week
Another round of severe weather will be possible for parts of Alabama next week — likely Tuesday.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a severe weather risk for the southern part of Alabama to its outlook for Tuesday.
All modes of severe weather look possible at this point, including tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and heavy rain.
Right now the northern half of the state isn’t included in the severe weather risk. Forecasters are thinking that the most unstable air won’t make it that far north to generate severe storms, although rain and some sub-severe storms will be possible.
However, since it’s several days away from the event, make sure to keep up with the forecast in case that changes.
The weather service in Mobile said in its Friday forecast discussion that storms will be possible on Tuesday in possibly two batches, one along a warm front that is expected to lift northward from the Gulf, and another wave along or ahead of a cold front that will be moving in from the west.
Storms could be possible starting on Tuesday afternoon and last into Tuesday night.
South Alabama could also be facing an additional complication. The National Weather Service’s radar in Mobile is scheduled to be undergoing an updgrade during that time and could be out of service.
The weather service said late Thursday that it’s unclear if that work will be rescheduled in light of the upcoming severe threat.
The work on the KMOB WSR-88D radar is scheduled from Jan. 23 (Monday) until Feb. 4. The pedestal is to be replaced during that time, according to the weather service.
The weather service said in its announcement about the radar work that meteorologists will use the adjacent radars, satellites and observational data if they have to issue any warnings during the time the radar is down.
There are also other nearby radars that will provide additional coverage for that part of southwest Alabama. Here is a list from the weather service: