Heads Up Alabama: Potentially Strong to Severe Weather Thursday

The Townsquare Media Weather Center is continuing to monitor a storm system that could bring our coverage area the possibility of some strong to severe thunderstorms on Thursday, January 12. The counties that our collective radio stations cover are Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Walker.

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The National Weather Service in Birmingham said that “damaging winds are the main threat, but there is so much speed shear (wind speed differences w/ height in the atmosphere), a tornado is possible. A lot of uncertainty remains, so pay attention to updates!”

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said that the Storm Prediction Center “has much of the state in a "slight risk" (level 2/5) of severe storms.

Timing

Spann said that "storms will enter Northwest Alabama Thursday morning and will progress through the state during the day. The storm mode is expected to be linear, meaning the main threat will come from strong winds."

Threats

“A brief tornado can't be totally ruled out but isn't especially likely. The highest chance of a brief tornado will come Thursday afternoon in areas east and south of Montgomery. Rain amounts of 1/2 to 1 inch are expected, and the high will be in the 65-71 degree range,” said Spann.

(Source) Click here to follow the Facebook Page for James Spann. For more from the National Weather Service Birmingham, click here.