ISOLATED STRONG STORMS POSSIBLE FRIDAY AFTERNOON & EVENING… The Storm Prediction Center has introduced a Level 1 (out of 5), low-end severe weather risk zone for parts of our area valid on Friday (tomorrow). Isolated stronger storms may produce gusty winds and large hail on Friday, primarily in the afternoon and evening hours. The main risk of stronger storms will happen across parts of Monroe, Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, and Wilcox counties in our local area with the risk zone extending northward into much of central Alabama. Let me be clear that the overall tornado risk remains very low. This risk zone has been introduced primarily because of the risk of damaging straight line winds that could knock down a few trees if any of the storms can ramp up briefly. Widespread severe weather is NOT expected. Let’s talk details.
LEVEL 1, LOW-END RISK… The greatest risk of stronger storms on Friday will happen across inland areas of south Alabama locally. This means that widespread severe storms are not expected, but we can’t completely rule out an isolated stronger storm or two.
WHO IS INVOLVED… The following locales are included in the low-end risk zone on Friday: Thomasville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Chatom, Wagerville, Leroy, Vinegar Bend, Whatley, Coffeeville, Butler, Gilbertown, Silas, Toxey, Hybart, Beatrice, Camden, Pine Hill, Oak Hill, Millers Ferry, and Sweet Water. We also note that many locations in central and north Alabama are included in this low-end risk zone, including Montgomery, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Gadsden, Lake Martin, Smith Lake, Jasper, Clanton, Prattville, Wetumpka, Selma, Demopolis, Livingston, Aliceville, Fayette, Cullman, Oneonta, Boaz, Centre, Heflin, Mt. Cheaha, Centreville, Marion, Eutaw, Greensboro, Hoover, Montevallo, Leeds, Oxford, Talladega, Sylacauga, Hayneville, Alexander City, Roanoke, and surrounding areas.
MAIN RISKS: WIND & HAIL… The overall tornado risk is not at all elevated on Friday. Could there be a brief, spin-up tornado or two? Perhaps, but even that possibility remains questionable at this point. Clearly, the main concerns on Friday will be damaging wind gusts capable of knocking down a few trees and large hail up to the size of a quarter.
WHAT MOST LOCALES CAN EXPECT… For most, this will simply be a day featuring rain at times. Vast majority of us probably WON’T have severe weather issues on Friday. Rain could be heavy at times, especially across central Alabama. The greatest rain chances on Friday will also happen in the northwestern part of our local area in parts of Clarke, Washington, and Monroe counties. Rain amounts will generally be less than a half inch in total locally with the greater rain amounts likely to happen to our north and west.
NEXT UPDATE… I will have the very latest on this low-end severe weather risk tomorrow morning in the next regularly scheduled RedZone Weather forecast video that will be posted by 7:15AM. Be sure to check in tomorrow morning when you wake up for the very latest.
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Have a nice Thursday evening!
