Alabama's Late-Night Weather Surprise: What to Expect

Severe Weather Alert

Alabama is in for a stormy night, with severe weather on the horizon. The National Weather Service has issued a heads-up for:

• Damaging winds
• Heavy rain
• Possible tornado

The western part of the state is expected to bear the brunt of these storms, with the threat easing as you move eastward.

Storm Timeline

• Arrival: Around midnight in western Alabama
• Duration: Throughout the night and into Sunday morning
• Movement: Eastward and southward

Residents are advised to have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings overnight, such as weather radios or smartphone apps.

Risk Levels

The Storm Prediction Center has placed:

• Level 2 (slight) risk for a small area near the Mississippi border
• Possible: Scattered severe storms
• Level 1 (marginal) risk for most of the rest of Alabama
• Possible: Isolated severe storms
• Unaffected Areas: Northeast and east-central Alabama

Potential Impacts

• Wind Gusts: Up to 60 mph
• Possible: Downed tree limbs and power lines
• Tornado Risk: Low but not zero
• If tornadoes form: Expected to be short-lived

Rainfall Outlook

• Southwest Alabama: Up to 2 inches through Sunday night
• Rest of the state: Anywhere from a quarter-inch to an inch

On the bright side, Alabama will receive some much-needed rain from this weather system. Although it won't significantly alleviate the ongoing drought, it could help prevent it from worsening in certain areas.

After the Storm

• Sunday: Calmer and cooler weather from west to east
• Winds: Breezy
• Monday and Tuesday Mornings:
• North and Central Alabama: Lows in the 40s
• South Alabama: Lows in the 50s
• Northern Alabama: Some areas might see temperatures in the 30s

Looking Ahead

• No severe weather expected in Alabama for the rest of the week after tonight.