UPDATE #1: 03/24/2017 2:36:08 PM The National Weather Service has made a slight adjustment to the timing for Saturday’s (Mar 25th) possible severe weather event changing it from between 10 AM to 6 PM to now 11 AM and 7 PM.
03/24/2017 10:09:53 AM According to the National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office Birmingham:
We are continuing with a 2 confidence threat for severe in the forecast/Hazardous Weather Outlook for Saturday (March 25th) in association with an upper level storm system. The main time frame has been refined to 10 AM through 6 PM. While the activity will be possible across most of Central Alabama, the best chance for severe storms will be across the west half, generally west of Interstate 65 as the system is expected to decrease in intensity as it progresses eastward. The main threat will be damaging straight line winds up to 60 mph. Please see the attached graphic.
A line of strong to severe storms will be possible Saturday from around 10 AM to 6 PM in association with an upper level storm system. While this activity will be possible across most of Central Alabama, the best chances for severe will be across the western half, generally west of Interstate 65. The main threat will be damaging straight line winds.
Thunderstorms will spread across the area from the west. Some storms could become severe with damaging straight line winds being the main threat. The best chances will be in the western half. Daytime high temperatures will range from the lower 70s west to near 80 degrees southeast.
Additionally, we have increased to a 2 confidence threat for severe in the forecast/Hazardous Weather Outlook for Monday (March 27th) ahead of a front to our west. The main threats will be damaging straight line winds and large hail on Monday. While severe will be possible across Central Alabama, the best chances will again be across the west half. (See graphic below)
We also had to add a 1 confidence threat for severe in the forecast/Hazardous Weather Outlook for next Thursday, (March 30th) for Central Alabama with yet another upper level storm system. The main threats will be damaging straight line winds and large hail. (See graphic below)
Elmore County EMA will continue to monitor these systems and post updates from the NWS as they become available.