A few strong storms possible later this week in Alabama
Parts of Alabama could have to deal with the low-end possibility of severe weather on the anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornado super outbreak.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham alerted those in central Alabama that severe weather could be possible on Thursday as an unsettled weather pattern persists over the state through the week.
Thursday will mark the 12th anniversary of the 2011 tornado outbreak, which resulted in 62 tornadoes in Alabama alone and at least 240 deaths.
The details about Thursday’s forecast could change, but forecasters said that damaging winds and hail could be possible, along with a lower chance for tornadoes. The timing is still to be ironed out, but so far it was looking like storms could be more likely Thursday afternoon and evening, according to forecasters.
So far, NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center hasn’t joined in that line of thinking and has no severe weather risk in place for Alabama for Thursday. However, that could change in the coming days.
The weather service will be watching a series of disturbances that could affect the weather in Alabama this week and bring on and off rain.
A front was moving across the state on Monday morning, bringing light rain to some areas in the south. Rain chances could begin to rise again on Tuesday afternoon or Tuesday night and continue into Wednesday as the next system approaches.
The best chances for rain will start on Wednesday and last into Friday, with Thursday presenting the best chance, as of now, for stronger storms. Forecast models are suggesting an area of low pressure could form to the west of Alabama on Thursday, and could help kickstart stronger storms over the state.
Additional rain will also be possible over the weekend, but details were murky on how likely that will be.