Isolated severe storms possible (again) Sunday in Alabama

Alabama residents should keep a close watch on the skies today. According to 205focus.com, yet another round of strong to severe storms is expected to push through the state this Sunday.

Severe Weather Outlook

The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of eastern Alabama under a Level 1 out of 5 marginal risk for severe weather. While the risk level is low, it indicates that isolated severe storms are possible throughout the day. NOAA experts highlight that damaging wind gusts will serve as the primary threat for any storm that manages to strengthen.

Flood Concerns Persist

Beyond the gusty winds, heavy rainfall remains a major concern for the remainder of the weekend and into the coming week. The National Weather Service expects many areas to receive between 2 and 3 inches of additional rain over the next few days. Because the ground is already saturated, officials warn that intense rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour could trigger flash flooding today.

A flood watch is officially in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday for the following counties: Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega.

Looking Ahead

Even storms that do not reach severe status are packing a punch, often featuring frequent lightning and torrential downpours. While forecasters note there is currently no organized severe weather expected for the remainder of the work week, the high chance of rain should provide some relief to the drought conditions that have impacted Alabama in recent months. Residents are encouraged to stay alert, as even non-severe individual storms could become briefly intense.