Alabamians Face Threat of Tornadoes, Damaging Winds, and Hail

We are monitoring the possibility of unsettled weather persisting throughout Memorial Day Weekend as we anticipated two rounds of severe thunderstorms. This is part of a larger system that has already seen its fair share of severe weather.

The Weather Channel said, “An outbreak of severe storms over the holiday weekend could pack tornadoes, very large hail, and destructive wind gusts in the Plains today before spreading to the Midwest and East on Sunday and Monday.”

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ROUND 1

Timeline

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said the activity could start Monday, May 27, at 2 a.m. and last through 8 a.m.

Risk Areas

The area of focus is “generally along and north of the Hwy 80 corridor with relatively higher potential across the far northern counties.”

The Townsquare Media Coverage area is split between a “marginal” and “slight” risk.

Bibb – under a “marginal” risk between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Fayette – under a “slight” risk between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Greene – under a “marginal” risk between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Hale – under a “marginal” risk between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Lamar – under a “slight” risk between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Perry – under a “marginal” risk between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Pickens - under a “marginal” risk between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Sumter – under a “marginal” risk between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Tuscaloosa – under a “marginal” risk between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Walker - – under a “slight” risk between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Potential Threats

Damaging winds up to 60 mph

Quarter-sized hail

A brief tornado or two

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said, “The main concern is from strong, potentially damaging straight-line winds, although an isolated brief tornado can't be ruled out. The higher tornado probabilities are north of Alabama.”

I highly encourage you to make sure your phones are not on silent when you go to bed tonight so you can get important weather information.

ROUND 2

Risk Areas

West and Central Alabama is under a "slight" risk level for the second round of storms.

Timeline

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said the activity could start Monday, May 27, from Noon to 10 p.m. The Townsquare Media Coverage area is split between two different time frames, Noon to 6 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Bibb – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Fayette – Noon to 6 p.m.

Greene – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Hale – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Lamar – Noon to 6 p.m.

Perry – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Pickens – Noon to 6 p.m.

Sumter – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tuscaloosa – Noon to 6 p.m.

Walker – Noon to 6 p.m.

Possible Threats

Damaging winds up to 70 mph

Golf-ball sized hail

“We do not see a tornado threat tomorrow afternoon; highest coverage should be over the southern 2/3 of the state,” said Spann.