Isolated severe storms will be possible across a large part of Alabama today as a cold front moves through the state. The Storm Prediction Center has all of Alabama except the southeast corner under a marginal risk for severe storms today (Wednesday, November 25th). A marginal risk is Level 1 out of 5 and means isolated severe storms will be possible.
The area under a marginal risk has expanded since yesterday and now includes southwest Alabama. The strongest storms could bring damaging winds, heavy rain and a small chance for a tornado, according to the National Weather Service. There could be two batches of storms for some in the state.
The first round of storms was approaching Alabama from the west on Wednesday morning and will affect northwest Alabama first.
Here’s what to expect statewide by region:
NORTH ALABAMA
Round One of rain and storms was moving into northwest Alabama early Wednesday morning. A second batch of rain and storms, possibly more intense, is expected late this afternoon. Gusty winds and heavy rain will be possible with any stronger storms that develop, according to the National Weather Service in Huntsville.
There’s a small risk for a tornado today, but if it materialized it would be with the late afternoon round of storms, according to the weather service. There would also be a higher probability of damaging winds with the afternoon storms. The front is forecast to clear out of the region by tonight, and sunny skies and mild temperatures are expected across the region for Thanksgiving Day.
CENTRAL ALABAMA
The National Weather Service in Birmingham is forecasting a low-end or marginal risk for severe storms this afternoon across most of central Alabama.
The timeframe for stronger storms will begin around 3 p.m. today in west Alabama and move eastward through the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, exiting eastern Alabama as late as 10 p.m. The strongest storms could bring damaging winds up to 60 mph and a small risk of a tornado, according to forecasters.
SOUTH ALABAMA
The northern and western portions of south Alabama also run the risk of seeing strong storms today, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile. The strongest storms could bring damaging winds and a low threat for a tornado.
The weather service expects the threat for severe weather to wane in the evening hours.
The front could stall as it moves through the state and linger into Thursday, meaning increased rain chances for those in southern Alabama on Thanksgiving: Rain chances could linger into Thanksgiving Day in southwest Alabama.
