Alabama faces rare severe weather outbreak threat: What you need to know

Alabama was bracing for two rounds of severe weather on Saturday.

The first started early this morning and was still affecting parts of northern Alabama as of 7:30 a.m.

Then what the National Weather Service said could be a “prolific” round two is expected to begin this afternoon — as early as 11 a.m. in west Alabama — and the dreaded strong, long-track tornadoes will be possible as well as numerous severe storms.

A rare Level 5 out of 5 risk for severe weather is in place for part of Alabama, and the rest of the state has a Level 4 risk.

Some key points from the weather service — and this applies for all of Alabama:

Here are key points for today’s expected severe weather.NWS

Forecasters warned that storms this afternoon could develop fast and move even faster, making it vitally important for all Alabamians to make sure they have a plan in place and are ready to act if a storm threatens their location.

“On a high-end day like today, take every precaution necessary to protect yourself, and your loved ones,” forecasters said Saturday.

Round one was in progress on Saturday morning but so far has been less intense than feared.

In fact, a tornado watch that had been in effect for parts of west and north Alabama until 10 a.m. was dropped for all counties several hours early.

Storms earlier this morning prompted two tornado warnings in northwest Alabama, which have since been canceled.

There have also been multiple severe thunderstorm warnings for areas in north and central Alabama. South Alabama has been quiet so far.

The weather service has not received damage reports from the early-morning storms.

Strong storms will continue to move through the northern part of the state through the early morning hours.

The National Weather Service was also cautioning those in north and west Alabama about potential flooding this morning.

Flood watches will be in effect for parts of the state through the day today.

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However, the storms were clearing out faster than expected by a few hours, according to the weather service.

If that ends up being the case it could allow even more time for the atmosphere to prime itself for the afternoon storms, forecasters said.

The second round, which could get underway this afternoon, could be the more significant of the two.

The National Weather Service in a forecast discussion on Saturday morning said “a prolific severe weather event is expected today, with multiple rounds of supercells likely through the afternoon hours. Given the parameter space, tornadoes associated with these supercells will have the capacity to be violent and long-lived.”

That second round of storms could get going by lunchtime or possibly before in west Alabama and spread eastward through the afternoon and nighttime hours.

A rare Level 5 out of 5, or high risk, will be in place for parts of Alabama today. It’s the first high risk Alabama has been a part of since March 2021.

A Level 5 risk means numerous severe storms are expected and there is a high confidence of severe weather.

The rest of the state is included in a Level 4 or moderate risk, which means scattered to numerous severe storms are likely.

The National Weather Service said a severe weather outbreak is likely later today, with strong tornadoes, hurricane-force wind gusts and large hail all possible.

Forecasters urged Alabamians, no matter if they’re in a Level 5 or 4, to pay very close attention to the weather today and be prepared to take shelter at a moment’s notice.

In the second round, the weather service will be watching to see if supercell storms evolve first, which could present a threat for large, long-track tornadoes.

Then a squall line of storms is expected later in the day. Those storms could also contain tornadoes.

“Even with storms expected to be ongoing as the sun comes up, there is still time to prepare for what appears to be a prolific tornado event across the region,” the weather service said Saturday morning.

“Gather important documents, charge your devices, and do not hesitate to act when prompted. These storms could be moving 50+ MPH when a warning is issued, and time will be of the essence. On a high-end day like today, take every precaution necessary to protect yourself, and your loved ones.”

The severe weather is expected to exit the state in the early morning hours on Sunday, and calmer weather is expected next week.

Here’s a look at Round 2 timing from the National Weather Service: