Birmingham Weather Update: Area Braces For Severe Storms

BIRMINGHAM, AL —Most of Alabama will be hit Wedneaday with severe storms that have the potential of producing tornadoes, hail and intense damaging wind gusts, which prompted Gov. Kay Ivey to declare a state of emergency for the state Tuesday.

SEE ALSO: Tornado Watch Issued For Jefferson County

Area schools systems opted to go fully virtual Wednesday or dismiss early ahead of the storms, as the core severe weather opens up around 1 p.m statewide, and will continue through the late night and pre-dawn hours, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

Meteorologist James Spann said a few violent, long-track tornadoes are possible.

"We have showers and thunderstorms in progress this morning in scattered pockets across the state, and those will be strong with potential for small hail and gusty winds," Spann said. "But, the core severe weather opens up around 1 p.m statewide, and will continue through the late night and pre-dawn hours. Storms will end from west to east after midnight tonight, a few storms could linger across Southeast Alabama until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow."

Birmingham's hourly forecast for Wednesday, according to the NWS in Birmingham:

• 1 p.m.: 60 percent chance of rain; Scattered, strong storms, wind at 11 mph
• 2 p.m.: 100 percent chance of rain; Strong storms, wind at 11 mph
• 3 p.m.: 100 percent chance of rain; Strong storms, wind at 13 mph
• 4 p.m.: 90 percent chance of rain; Strong storms, wind at 11 mph
• 5 p.m.: 98 percent chance of rain; Strong storms, wind at 11 mph
• 6 p.m.: 90 percent chance of rain; Strong storms, wind at 12 mph
• 7 p.m.: 90 percent chance of rain, Thunderstorms, wind at 13 mph
• 8 p.m.: 76 percent chance of rain; Strong storms, wind at 12 mph

• Have at least two ways of hearing warnings. Every Alabama home and business needs a NOAA Weather Radio; the model most used is the Midland WR-120, available at most local “big box” retailers. Weather radio receivers do not rely on cellular networks and are very reliable. The second way is your phone; be sure WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) are enabled, and have a reliable app like the ABC 33/40 Weather app, which also pushes warnings. Never rely on an outdoor siren.
• Know your safe place. In a site built home, it is a small room, on the lowest floor, near the center of the house, away from windows. And, in that safe place, have helmets for everyone. Also recommend is a portable airhorn for everyone (to alert first responders if you need help), and hard soled shoes in case you have to walk over a tornado debris field.
• You can’t stay in a mobile home during a tornado warning. Know where you are going, and how to get there quickly. If there is no community shelter nearby, go to a business like a gas station, convenience store or restaurant that is open 24/7.
• Be sure you can find your home on a map. Identify the county you are in, and the ones surrounding you. Map skill is very important on severe weather days.