Central, West Alabama Prepares for 2 Rounds of Possible Severe Weather Friday

There will be a weather system moving across the southern region of the United States. This will lend the potential for severe weather for our area on Friday, March 18, 2022, which has a complicated setup. At this time there will be 2 rounds of possible severe weather.

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist has provided insight on the 2 timetables to stay weather aware.

Round One

Spann commented that round one should “come during the morning hours (mostly between 5 am and 12 noon), and these storms will be elevated due to the lack of surface-based instability. The main threat with the morning round will come from heavy rain and gusty winds, but an isolated tornado is possible over the southwest corner of the state, where some instability will be available.”

Round Two

This round will be based on what transpires with the morning storms. Spann said that the afternoon “activity will be more scattered in nature, and the severe weather threat is somewhat conditional. If the air can recover from the morning storms, these thunderstorms will be capable of producing large hail, strong winds, and a few tornadoes.” Spann stated that “round two will come during the late afternoon and evening hours mostly between 3 pm and 8 pm”

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National Weather Service in Birmingham Highlights

Where:

All of Central Alabama

When:

Friday morning through the afternoon.

Threats:

Quarter-size hail

Damaging winds up to 60 mph

Localized Flash Flooding

Tornadoes (especially late morning and during the afternoon)

Slight Risk vs. Marginal Risk

More than likely we will have an active weather day on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has “defined a "slight risk" (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms tomorrow for areas south of a line from Demopolis to Calera to Wedowee, and a "marginal risk" (level 1/5) north of that line for the rest of the state,” said Spann.

Will there be More Severe Weather Next Week?

We are monitoring the potential for severe weather Tuesday night into Wednesday. This far in advance it is hard to know the extent of the weather event, areas, timelines, and threats. However, we are prepared to focus on this system after Friday’s possible severe weather threat has ended.

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