Waves of storms possible today in Alabama: When and where to watch for severe weather

Alabama is bracing for a volatile Monday as the National Weather Service tracks multiple waves of strong to severe storms moving across the state. Forecasters expect the activity to move from northwest to southeast throughout the day, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts, large hail, heavy rain, and frequent lightning.

Severe Weather Outlook

The Storm Prediction Center has ramped up its alert level, placing a Level 2 out of 5 risk across all of north Alabama and a significant portion of central Alabama. A Level 2 risk indicates that scattered severe storms are possible, while the remainder of central and southern Alabama currently sits under a Level 1 marginal risk, where isolated severe activity remains a concern.

A severe thunderstorm watch is officially in effect for north and central Alabama until 7 p.m. CDT. Within this watch zone, meteorologists are monitoring for wind gusts that could reach up to 70 mph and hail measuring up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

Impacted Counties

The following counties are included in the active severe thunderstorm watch: Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.

Timing and Expectations

Storms began impacting northern parts of the state as early as 9 a.m. and are expected to continue their push southward. The primary threat involves damaging winds capable of downing power lines and trees—an increased concern given recent drought conditions and loosened soil from prior rain. Power outages are a distinct possibility as the storms peak in intensity.

Meteorologists are specifically watching an outflow boundary near southern Tennessee, where storms were developing as of 11:30 a.m. These are expected to merge into a larger mesoscale convective system (MCS). While the exact trajectory and strength of this system remain the biggest variables, the warm, moisture-rich atmosphere across Alabama is primed to fuel intense weather through the afternoon.

Looking Ahead

The good news for Alabama residents is that relief is on the horizon. While Tuesday serves as a transition day with lingering rain chances, the severe threat is expected to conclude by 7 p.m. tonight. Forecasters anticipate a drier, less humid stretch from Wednesday through Friday before moisture levels begin to climb again heading into the weekend.