Vestavia City Schools Cancels All Events Saturday Due To Weather

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — The threat of severe storms Saturday has the entire Birmingham metro area taking precautions in the event of tornadoes or damaging winds. Vestavia Hills City Schools announced Friday that all school activities scheduled for Saturday have been canceled.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said the timing for the storms for the state is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, hitting the Birmingham area between noon and 6 p.m. with damaging winds up to 70 mph and tornadoes as the main threats. A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 12 a.m. Saturday to 9 p.m. Saturday for all of Central Alabama. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph ahead of the approaching storm system.

"Based on the forecast parameters, a few strong tornadoes (EF2 or higher) can't be ruled out," said meteorologist James Spann. "Also, some hail is possible with the heavier thunderstorms. Away from thunderstorms, pressure gradient winds will be fairly robust during the day; expect a south wind averaging 15-25 mph with higher gusts."

Read the full weather update on Patch.