Heavy storms this afternoon and tonight

On December 28, 2024By Littum

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – We have declared today (12/28/24) and tonight a First Alert Weather Day for the possibility of strong and severe storms. We have a low-end threat for isolated severe storms late this afternoon and evening (2:00 PM CST – 8:00 PM CST) in western Alabama. The biggest threat for all of central Alabama will likely occur tonight between 8:00 PM CST Saturday – 6:00 AM CST Sunday as a series of storms move through central Alabama. Damaging winds up to 60 mph, large hail, heavy rainfall and an isolated threat for tornadoes are possible. Have multiple ways to receive alerts today through tonight.

We start the day mostly dry and cloudy with temperatures in the upper 50s and lower 60s. It is slightly warmer in West Alabama compared to East Alabama. Patchy fog cannot be ruled out until 9:00 a.m. CST. Just be careful as visibility can be reduced to half a mile or less. The big story today is that a strong cold front is expected to move into our area tonight. Strong storms have already formed in northeast Texas early this morning. This system is likely to produce a significant threat for severe storms in parts of Louisiana, southern Mississippi and into Sumter County, where a moderate risk (red) – threat level 4 out of 5 – has been issued. The area below the moderate risk has the greatest potential to see more tornadoes. The environment in this region will also be favorable for strong (EF-2+) and long-track tornadoes this afternoon and evening. An increased risk (orange) – threat level 3 out of 5 – has been issued for western Alabama. Damaging winds and an isolated tornado threat will likely be in this region late this evening and into the night. Areas along and east of I-65 are under a Slight Risk (Yellow) threat level 2 out of 5. The threat is lower in the Slight Risk, but damaging winds of up to 60 mph and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

We are likely to remain mostly dry and cloudy in the morning hours. Isolated storms will be possible in western Alabama this afternoon and evening between 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST. An isolated strong storm cannot be ruled out. Just be aware of the weather if you live west of I-65 this afternoon and evening. A number of storms are likely to form along the cold front. It will push from west to east overnight. I think we will see widespread impacts in central Alabama between 8pm CST – 5am CST Sunday. The line of storms will be capable of producing very heavy rainfall, damaging winds up to 60 mph, large hail and an isolated tornado threat. We highly recommend that you turn on your NOAA Weather Radio tonight. Make sure it has fresh batteries in case you lose power. It is a great device that can alert you when an alert is issued. Temperatures today are expected to warm to the mid 60s with southeast winds 5-15 mph. Winds will increase tonight from the southeast at 15-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. I highly recommend securing all outdoor furniture and holiday decorations before the stormy weather passes.

Drying out Sunday: We will likely see storms move out of eastern Alabama by 6-7 am CST Sunday. Tomorrow ends up being dry and breezy with west winds at 10-15 mph. We could see wind gusts up to 25 mph. I think we will remain partly cloudy tomorrow afternoon with highs in the low to mid 60s. Temperatures may begin to drop north of I-20 Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see temperatures in the 50s Sunday afternoon in parts of Marion, Winston, Cullman, Walker, Fayette and Blount counties.

New Year’s Eve weather forecast: We will likely see temperatures remain above average with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s and 50s on Monday and Tuesday. A cold front is expected to move into central Alabama on New Year’s Eve. We’ll likely end up mostly cloudy Tuesday with a 20% chance of a stray shower. I think most of us will stay dry as we ring in the new year. Temperatures will likely cool into the 40s early Wednesday morning. The first day of 2025 will likely end up cool and mostly sunny with highs in the lower 50s. Freezing temperatures are likely to return in the second half of the week. Long-range model suggests a significant threat for very cold air moving into the southeast around 8-12. January 2025.

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