Alabama Skies: Severe weather, tornadoes expected overnight Monday into Tuesday
Published 9:08 pm Sunday, January 7, 2024
As we mentioned over the weekend, we’ll have a decent chance for our first severe weather event of 2024 overnight Monday into Tuesday.
With the latest update from the Storm Prediction Center, the overnight threat for severe weather has increased with a “hatched” area for tornadoes included. Most of these storms will actually be early Tuesday morning.
The Sunday afternoon update shows the Level 1 for central Alabama has stayed similar to what it was Saturday night. This zone includes Tuscaloosa, Clanton, Montgomery, and just north of Auburn. The main risk in this area is for damaging wind gusts, mainly 2 a.m. until 7 am. Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
A Level 2 includes Demopolis, Selma, and Troy. In this zone, damaging winds and a brief tornado are possible. The western part of the zone should expect storms from 2 a.m. until 7 a.m. while the eastern communities can expect rough weather between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
We have a new Level 3 risk zone for Alabama that includes Eufaula to the Gulf Coast. The main risks in this zone are damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour and tornadoes. This zone also includes a “hatched” risk for tornadoes, which emphasizes the risk area.
Tornadoes in this zone can be strong and dangerous, especially since they will mainly be possible overnight.
North Alabama
Partly sunny with a slight chance of a shower in the afternoon. High of 52 with wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour possible. Showers in the evening with thunderstorms possible overnight. Low of 42 with wind gusts as high of 45 miles per hour possible.
Central Alabama
Partly sunny with a shower or two in the afternoon. Breezy, with a high of 54. Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour possible. Showers likely with a thunderstorm possible. Some of the storms could be strong. Temperatures falling to 48 in the late evening, then rising to 54 overnight. Wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour possible.
South Alabama
Partly sunny and breezy with showers likely in the afternoon. High of 57 with wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour possible. Showers likely in the evening with storms possible overnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Temperatures dropping to around 48 in the evening, then rising to 57 overnight. Wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour possible.
Gulf Coast
Showers likely with thunderstorms possible during the day. Breezy. High of 65. Some wind gusts could be as high as 35 miles per hour. Showers likely Monday night with a few storms possible. Some of the storms could be severe. Temperatures rising to near 70 overnight. Wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour.