By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Saturday, 12:30 pm August 12, 2023
There is an Excessive Heat Warning Today and Sunday for much of central Alabama and for today across south Alabama. It is likely the warning will be extended into Sunday for the southern sections in later NWS forecasts.
If possible, avoid outdoor activities from the afternoon through early evening hours, take frequent rests in air-conditioned areas and drink plenty of water. The elderly, young and those with medical conditions are most susceptible to heat related issues, so check on them frequently.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect this afternoon for northern and portions on central Alabama until 6 pm.
Line segments and/or clusters of storms will move through areas north of a Tuscaloosa – Auburn line this afternoon and evening. The atmosphere is VERY unstable which means there will likely be pockets of damaging wind gusts from 60-70 mph, frequent cloud to ground lightning and hail up to golfball size.
Although the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) does not have areas south of a Tuscaloosa – Auburn line in a severe risk area, there may be a few thunderstorms that develop between 3 pm – 8 pm in this region. With the atmosphere so unstable, any storm has the potential to produce damaging wind gusts, but any severe weather will be isolated.
On Sunday, the SPC does not have Alabama in a risk area, but latest model guidance indicates another Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) potentially moving across areas north of I-20 during the afternoon and evening hours. Confidence on both timing and threat areas remains low at this time.