Significant Severe Weather Event to Impact Tuscaloosa and West Alabama Today [UPDATED]
Heavy rain, damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are possible today as a significant severe weather event affects much of the South today;severe storms could begin in West Alabama as early as 3 p.m.
The National Weather Service's latest forecast suggests the greatest threat for severe weather will come tonight. Individual storms may develop ahead of the main squall line of storms; however, the NWS believes the primary severe threat will come from the main line of storms. This main squall line is forecast to impact West Alabama around 9 p.m.
Below is the latest Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service.
ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AS EARLY AS 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA WITH ANY DISCRETE INDIVIDUAL STORMS THAT MAY DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE SQUALL LINE. THE SECOND...AND PRIMARY THREAT WILL BE TONIGHT ALONG A SQUALL LINE THAT IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AHEAD OF A SURFACE FRONT. THIS LINE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE WESTERN COUNTIES GENERALLY AFTER 9 PM AND PROGRESS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. AS THE LINE PROGRESSES EASTWARD DURING THE LATE NIGHT HOURS TOWARD SUNRISE STORMS SHOULD WEAKEN. OVERALL THE SEVERE THREAT WILL BE ALONG AND WEST OF A WEDOWEE TO TROY LINE...WITH THE BEST SEVERE THREAT ALONG AND WEST OF A GADSDEN TO CLANTON TO SELMA LINE. THREATS WILL INCLUDE A CHANCE OF DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND TORNADOES. THERE IS ALSO A THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT TONIGHT DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL ALONG A THE SLOW MOVING LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. ADDITIONALLY...GUSTY WINDS AROUND 30 TO 35 MPH ARE POSSIBLE OUTSIDE THE RAIN AREAS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
Heavy Rain is expected with these storms. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service suggests Tuscaloosa could see close to two-and-a-half inches of rain overnight. This heavy downpour could result in flash flooding issues and create hazardous conditions for drivers.
A Wind Advisory is in effect until 3 a.m. Wednesday; sustained winds of 15-25 MPH with gusts of up to 35 MPH are possible.
Now is the time to go over your severe weather plan. Be sure that you have a way to receive weather information and warnings--especially if the power were to go out at your home or place of work. We'll continue to monitor the forecast and provide you with the latest updates.