News Summary
Residents of North and Central Alabama are urged to prepare for severe thunderstorms and possible tornado activity on Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for intense storms with high winds, hail, and a significant risk of tornadoes, particularly from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Cooler, drier air is expected to follow after the weather event. Residents should stay updated with weather notifications and have their safety plans ready as the storm approaches.
Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Threat Looms in Alabama
Attention, North and Central Alabama residents! Tuesday, May 20, has been marked as an Alert Day due to some serious weather headed our way. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about an upcoming round of intense thunderstorms that could bring with them strong wind gusts, large hail, and yes, even tornadoes. So, it’s time to take some precautions!
The weather coming in is no typical spring storm. It’s a significant system that’s bringing together spring-like wind conditions along with summer-like heat and humidity. This combination cranks up the potential for some really severe thunderstorms this week. It looks like the most intense action will begin Tuesday afternoon and continue into the evening hours.
What to Expect
So, what can you expect? Well, brace yourself because wind gusts might exceed a staggering 70 miles per hour. And let’s not forget about the hail; some of it could be larger than baseballs or even softballs! Sounds intense, right? But that’s not all—the chance for tornadoes is also present, especially if any smaller, discrete storms pop up before the main line of storms hits.
If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to enable those weather notifications on your devices. Staying updated will be crucial as the storms approach. While some areas will be at a Level 2 risk for severe weather, certain parts of North and West Alabama are even at a Level 3 risk—this is categorized as ‘enhanced,’ so heads up!
Timing of the Storms
Rain and storms are expected to linger throughout the day on Tuesday, but the most severe conditions are likely to strike between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. This means major cities will need to be particularly vigilant during that timeframe. It’s always wise to have your safety plan ready to go.
After the Storm
Once this bad weather passes, there’s light at the end of the tunnel! Cooler, drier air is set to settle in by Wednesday, bringing us several dry days through Friday. You can expect temperatures to dip into the 50s when you wake up by Friday morning, with daytime highs only reaching the 70s. Quite a refreshing change after all this storm activity!
This entire month has already been quite the turning point for rain in Alabama. For example, Birmingham has seen a whopping 8.05 inches of rain in May alone, which is over 5 inches above the usual for this time of year. Meanwhile, Tuscaloosa has recorded a staggering 11.20 inches, making it the wettest start to May on record! If that doesn’t make you raise an eyebrow, nothing will.
Looking Ahead
But don’t put away those umbrellas just yet! After our brief dry spell, forecasters are already eyeing another disturbed weather pattern that may bring rain chances back into the forecast for next week. The Climate Prediction Center even indicates that we might have a trend of wetter-than-normal conditions extending into early June. Remember, May showers bring June flowers!
This past Sunday already had its fair share of storms moving through Central Alabama, and there were reports of power outages and downed trees in various areas. So, it’s clear that this Season’s weather has been anything but dull!
Keep an eye on the sky and take all the necessary precautions as we brace ourselves for this storm. Stay safe, Alabama!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WVTM 13: Alabama Weather Forecast
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Rocket City Now: Weather Impact Alert
- Google Search: AL Weather Alert
- AL.com: Severe Storms Forecast
- Google Scholar: Severe Thunderstorm
- Tuscaloosa Thread: Alabama Storms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- WHNT: Tornado Watch Issued
- Google News: Tornado Threat Alabama
- Alabama News Center: Severe Weather Threat
- Google Search: Severe Weather Alabama
