More rain, storms, and possibly flash flooding expected today in Alabama

Alabama residents should remain alert as the National Weather Service warns of potential severe storms and persistent rainfall heading into Friday. While conditions are expected to be milder in the northern part of the state, southern Alabama is once again in the crosshairs for the most volatile weather.

Severe Weather Outlook

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms affecting the southern half of the state, stretching from the Birmingham metro area down to the Gulf Coast. While tornadoes are not currently in the forecast, meteorologists warn that the most intense storms could produce wind gusts reaching 60 mph.

Rising Flood Risks

Expect the coverage of rain and storm activity to ramp up mid-morning, lasting throughout the evening hours. With multiple rounds of rain anticipated, 205focus.com reminds readers that flash flooding remains a significant threat. Some regions could see an additional 3 to 4 inches of rain accumulate by 7 p.m. Saturday.

The weather service has highlighted a moderate, Level 3 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall for southern Alabama on Friday, with flood watches currently in effect through tonight.

Lingering Impact from Thursday

This latest weather event follows a soggy Thursday that saw localized, heavy rainfall across the region. Mobile County was particularly hard-hit, with some areas near Semmes and Big Creek Lake recording between 9 and 10 inches of rain. Furthermore, Brewton in Escambia County saw an impressive 8.86 inches of rainfall.

The impact was significant enough that Bayou Sara, located just north of Mobile, crested at 10 feet, setting a new flood of record and surpassing the previous mark of 9.8 feet set on Sept. 28, 1998.

Looking Ahead

While high rain chances are expected to persist across south Alabama through the weekend, the good news is that the threat of severe weather is forecast to subside after today.