Alabama may get a break from rain today, but severe weather expected again Saturday
Rain was moving out of Alabama on Thursday morning, and forecasters turned their attention to the next potential severe event on Saturday.
Strong to severe storms rolled through the state overnight and were exiting the southeast corner of the state early Thursday morning.
There were multiple tornado warnings issued on Wednesday night for areas in south Alabama. Numerous areas in north and central Alabama also experienced flooding.
Here is an early look at storm reports from Wednesday:
There was at least one tornado report from Alabama on Wednesday, but the National Weather Service still has to do a storm survey to confirm a tornado touched down.SPC
The weather service got reports of water in a house in Cullman County, and lightning reportedly struck a house in Coffee County.
The weather service in Mobile said it will look at storm reports this morning and see where storm surveys are needed to see if tornadoes touched down.
One city had record rainfall on Wednesday. The weather service in Birmingham said Anniston got 2.82 inches of rain on Wednesday, breaking the record of 1.78 inches from 1966.
Alabama will get a chance to dry out today and on Friday before the next weather system arrives on Saturday. It, too, will bring a chance for severe weather to the state.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 3 out of 5 (enhanced) risk for severe weather for part of west and central Alabama for Saturday. A Level 3 risk means numerous severe storms will be possible, as well as a strong tornado.
Nearly all of the rest of Alabama will have a Level 2 risk, which means that scattered severe storms will be possible.
Coastal areas of Baldwin County and the southeast corner of the state will have a Level 1 risk, which means that isolated severe storms will be possible.
The weather service is expecting storms to affect the state on Saturday starting during the afternoon or evening, and they will likely last into the overnight hours.
The strongest storms could generate damaging wind gusts capable of knocking down trees and power lines. There could also be a few tornadoes, including a strong one (EF-2+) in the Level 3 risk area.
More heavy rain will also be possible. This forecast from the National Weather Service is for rain from Thursday through Sunday morning:
More rain is expected in Alabama, mainly from Saturday into early Sunday.NWS
Some areas could get an additional 2 inches before the weekend storm system moves out.
The weekend storm system will move out on Sunday, and cooler temperatures are expected next week, according to the weather service.