Severe Weather Threat Possible In Alabama Wednesday

BIRMINGHAM, AL — After more than a week of dry weather in the Birmingham area, rain is expected Monday, and could turn into severe storms by mid-week, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

See the NWS updated forecast for Wednesday here.

The NWS has much of the state in a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms through Monday night with some of the storms expected to produce small hail and gusty winds. A brief, isolated tornado is possible, but not likely.

Tuesday, rain will continue, but heavy storms are not expected. However, meteorologist James Spann said Wednesday is a different story.

"While you certainly need to pay attention to the weather over the next 48 hours, the main threat comes late Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night as a dynamic storm system moves into the state," Spann said. "A negative-tilt upper trough with strong wind fields will be established to the west, with an associated deep surface low. Alabama will be in a warm, sheared, unstable air mass by afternoon, setting the stage for severe thunderstorm development."

Most of the state will be in an "enhanced risk" mode (3 out of 5), Spann said.

"Thunderstorms could begin over west Alabama during the afternoon, but for much of the state the core severe weather comes Wednesday evening and Wednesday night into the pre-dawn hours Thursday," Spann said. "Storms will have potential to bring large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. A few strong, violent tornadoes are possible across the Deep South considering the atmospheric setup."