Tornado threat increases for Alabama Tuesday; severe weather expected

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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Date: Apr 02 2024 8:23 AM

Severe weather will be possible later today across all of Alabama, according to forecasters.

* The Storm Prediction Center’s morning update has expanded a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather in Alabama, and it now covers a large part of the state, including parts of south Alabama. The rest of Alabama has a Level 2 risk.

* Today’s storms could have wind gusts up to 70 mph, hail up to the size of golf balls and heavy rain.

* Tornadoes will also be possible, especially later tonight into the overnight hours. The National Weather Service is now saying some stronger (EF-2 +) tornadoes could be possible, especially in north Alabama.

* The weather service is also concerned about the threat for damaging straight-line winds, which could topple trees and power lines.

* Storms could begin later this afternoon (2 p.m. or so) in west Alabama and last into the overnight hours in eastern Alabama. (See below for more specific times from the National Weather Service.)

The National Weather Service warned Alabamians to make sure they have several ways of getting severe weather warnings — especially overnight.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center’s morning update greatly expands southward the Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather for Alabama. It now includes all of north Alabama, much of central Alabama, and part of south Alabama.

A Level 3 — or enhanced — severe weather risk means that scattered to numerous severe storms will be “likely” according to the Storm Prediction Center.

The rest of Alabama has a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe storms. A Level 2 — or slight — risk means that scattered severe storms will be possible.

Scattered rain will be possible today, but the more organized storms aren’t expected to approach Alabama’s western border until 2 p.m. or so. Those storms are expected to push eastward and southward through the night and into early Wednesday morning.

The storms could arrive in the form of a broke squall line, with supercells embedded in the line.

Storms are expected to clear out on Wednesday, and cooler and drier conditions are expected for the rest of the week.