Birmingham Weather Update: Strong To Severe Storms Wednesday

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A storm system is expected to move into Alabama Wednesday night that could bring with it some strong to severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and a possible tornado.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham's Storm Prediction Center has defined a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms for a few counties near the Mississippi state line, with a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) as far east as Huntsville, Columbiana, Verbena and Mobile.

The threat for severe weather should begin around 10 p.m. for the western portion of the state, with the threat beginning in Birmingham closer to 1 a.m. Thursday:

Meteorologist James Spann said the storms will be capable of producing strong, gusty winds and small hail.

"A brief, isolated tornado is possible, but not likely," Spann said. "While the severe weather threat late tonight and Thursday morning isn’t major, you still need to pay attention to warnings if they are needed. Winds could be strong enough to bring down a few trees, and again a brief tornado can’t be ruled out."

The NWS said another storm system could move into the state Friday morning into Friday night:

The Storm Prediction Center has defined a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms Friday west of a line from Hamilton to Tuscaloosa to Camden to Fairhope, with a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for the rest of the state. The main threats Friday will come from hail and strong winds.