Real-time Updates for Round One of West Alabama’s Weekend of Severe Weather

The first round of severe weather in a forecasted double-header threat is approaching west Alabama as Friday night becomes Saturday morning and the system has already created tornadoes in several US states.

As the National Weather Service in Birmingham hones in on the first round of threats, we'll provide real-time weather updates that affect our readership and listening area.

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The city of Tuscaloosa's storm shelters open at 1 a.m. - read more about those and other shelters here.

5:00 A.M. "Round 1" Ends Without Damage in West Alabama!

4:00 A.M.: Severe Thunderstorm Warning Pushes West

The NWS has pushed their latest severe thunderstorm warning "downstream" into Walker and Fayette Counties.

Locations impacted include Boley Springs, Holly Grove, The Wye, Berry, Parrish, Oakman, Corona, Townley, West Corona, New Lexington, Cedrum Area, and Cordova.

3:40 A.M. NWS ISSUES SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR TUSCALOOSA AND PICKENS COUNTY

The NWS has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for eastern Pickens County and northwestern Tuscaloosa County.

The storm is carrying large hail and 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts, which brought on the severe criteria.

Locations impacted include: Ashcraft Corner, Carrollton, Dillburg, Moores Bridge, North Pickens, Airport, Gordo, Owens, Kirk, Johnston Lake, Echola, Lubbub, Reform, and Aliceville.

The warning is in effect until 4:30 a.m.

3:15 A.M. NWS CANCELS TORNADO WARNING IN MARION COUNTY, SHIFTS TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The NWS has canceled its tornado warning for Marion County and issued a severe thunderstorm warning in its stead.

2:45 A.M. NWS ISSUES TORNADO WARNING FOR MARION COUNTY

The NWS has issued a tornado warning for northwestern Marion County for a radar-indicated tornado rotation.

Locations impacted include Pigeye, Shottsville, Hackleburg, and Bexar. Residents should seek shelter immediately.

2:30 A.M. NWS Issues Tornado Watch for West Alabama Counties

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a tornado watch for counties in west Alabama ahead of the first round of severe storms expected to impact the region this weekend.

The Watch is in effect in 9 West Alabama Counties, including:

• FAYETTE
• GREENE
• LAMAR
• MARION
• PICKENS
• SUMTER
• TUSCALOOSA
• WALKER
• WINSTON

2:15 A.M. NWS ISSUES SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR PICKENS COUNTY

As severe storms move from Mississippi into Alabama, the NWS has issued a Special Weather Statement for Pickens County.

Strong thunderstorms are headed for Pickens County and areas including Aliceville, Ethelsville, Carrollton and more. The NWS said wind gusts of 40 miles per hour and penny-sized hail are possible for the area along with torrential rainfall and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT EARLY

No tornado watches have been issued in Alabama as of 11:30 p.m. Friday, but they are expected soon. A Wind Advisory, which was set to begin Saturday morning, has been moved up and is now in effect as of 11:06 p.m.

The Wind Advisory is in effect for 40 Alabama counties covering all of Central Alabama, including Tuscaloosa County and neighboring parts of our region.

The NWS says winds of 10-20 miles per hour with gusts of 40 miles per hour are possible until 1 a.m. Sunday. This is separate from the straight-line winds and tornado-force winds that could accompany severe storms passing through the area.

The NWS warns that "gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees could be blown down, and a few power outages may result. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution."

For more real-time weather news as it comes in, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.