Jennifer Miller

LATER TODAY/TONIGHT: SPC has defined an "enhanced risk" (level 3/5) of severe thunderstorms as far south as Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Jacksonville. There is a "slight risk" (level 2/5) as far south as Demopolis, Marbury, and Lafayette. And, a "marginal risk" (level 1/5) down to Grove Hill, Highland Home, and Phenix City. Here are the key messages for this event... *All modes of severe weather are possible over North Alabama with this event. The highest risk of tornadoes is in the "enhanced risk" in any discrete cells that form ahead of the main line. A strong tornado (EF-2 or higher) can't be ruled out. *As the storms evolve into a line, a couple of brief, isolated tornadoes are still possible. *As the storms become linear, the main threat will shift to damaging straight line winds. Possibly 70 mph in spots. *Large hail is also possible with the heavier thunderstorms. *Storms should slowly weaken late tonight as they move south of I-20; there is no risk of severe storms over the southern third of the state. *Events like this are common in Alabama in May, which is part of our tornado season (which runs from November through May). No need to be worried or anxious, just have a reliable way of hearing warnings (never an outdoor siren!), have a good plan, and we will get through it together.

We put this special together in 2018… on the 20th anniversary of the April 8, 1998 F5 tornado that killed 32 people in the western part of the Birmingham metro.  youtu.be/jRpDctFTL18