In Alabama, the months of March through May are known as the spring severe weather season. A secondary fall severe weather season also exists from November through mid-December. Our region is one of the few locations in the world that has two distinct severe weather seasons. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground. If the circulation is not on the ground, it is defined as a funnel cloud. Tornadoes usually descend from thunderstorms. Wind speeds in tornadoes can range from 65 mph to 318 mph (the highest tornado wind speed ever recorded ..read more

 LIKE SPRING: Temperatures are over 70 degrees across much of Alabama this afternoon, and Montgomery and Dothan have reached the 80-degree mark. Some sun is peeking through the clouds, and there is very little rain on radar. A large mass of rain will move into Alabama tonight, generally after midnight. The Storm Prediction Center maintains a low-end marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms for the western half of the state. There is basically no surface-based instability across Alabama, which means the risk of severe storms late tonight over west Alabama is very low; the ma ..read more

James Spann forecasts another mild day for Alabama before rain returns overnight from Alabama News Center on Vimeo. ANOTHER SPRING-LIKE DAY AHEAD: Temperatures reach the 70s this afternoon across Alabama for another nice preview of spring. The average high for Birmingham on Feb. 8 is 58. The sky will be mostly cloudy, and we will see a few spotty, widely scattered showers during the day. Rain becomes widespread after midnight, and the Storm Prediction Center maintains a low-end marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms for the western half of the state. There is basically no ..read more

Flash floods occur suddenly and usually within hours of excessive heavy rainfall. Flash floods become raging torrents of water, ripping through neighborhoods, streets, valleys, etc., sweeping away whatever is in their path. Flash floods can also occur with a dam or levee failure. Heavy rain should alert you to the possibility of dangerous flood conditions. Flash flood watch A flash flood watch is issued when conditions look favorable for flash flooding. A watch typically encompasses several counties. This is the time to start thinking about your plan of action and where you would go if wat ..read more

 JUST LIKE SPRING: Temperatures are in the 60s and 70s across Alabama this afternoon with a mix of sun and clouds. A few showers are over south Mississippi, but our state is dry. Tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 50s. RAIN RETURNS: Clouds will increase across the state Wednesday and the weather stays mild, with highs mostly in the 70s. While a few widely scattered showers can’t be ruled out, the main batch of rain will move into the state late Wednesday night, generally after midnight. The Storm Prediction Center maintains a low-end marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thu ..read more

James Spann forecasts more pleasant weather for Alabama from Alabama News Center on Vimeo. ANOTHER SPRING-LIKE AFTERNOON AHEAD: Temperatures are all over the board this morning due to variations in cloud cover and wind. We are seeing places in the 30s, 40s and 50s across Alabama just before sunrise, but everyone will enjoy a mild afternoon, with many communities reaching the 70-degree mark. The sky will be partly sunny, and dry weather continues tonight. WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: Clouds will increase Wednesday, and we can’t rule out a few widely scattered showers during the day. But the bulk of t ..read more

Thunderstorms are a common occurrence in Alabama any time of the day, month or year. There are about 2,000 thunderstorms in progress around the world at any given moment. However, less than 1% of these thunderstorms are classified as “severe.” Severe thunderstorms are defined as thunderstorms that produce 1-inch hail or larger and/or wind gusts of 58 mph or greater. Hail 1 inch in diameter is roughly the size of a quarter. All thunderstorms generate potentially deadly lightning. However, lightning in a thunderstorm does not mean that the thunderstorm is severe. A small percentage of severe t ..read more

 SEVERE CLEAR: We have a cloudless sky across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures mostly in the 60s. The average high for Birmingham on Feb. 6 is 57. Tonight will be clear with a low between 36 and 45 degrees. Tuesday will be another dry, pleasant day. Expect a partly sunny sky with highs in the 60s over north and central Alabama, and low 70s for the southern quarter of the state. RAIN RETURNS: Clouds will increase Wednesday, and while a few showers could form during the day, the most widespread rain won’t arrive until late Wednesday night, most likely after midnight. A few thundersto ..read more

Alabama’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is Feb. 5-10, with a focus on helping people understand how to prepare for and survive dangerous weather. Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed this week Alabama Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is supported by National Weather Service offices that serve Alabama, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and other organizations. The goal: to encourage residents to plan ahead for severe weather and to increase awareness about potential dangers. Weather forecasters recommend the following tips for devising your severe weather preparedness plan: Have at least two r ..read more

James Spann forecasts warming weather for Alabama from Alabama News Center on Vimeo. WARMING TREND CONTINUES: After a chilly start this morning with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, we rise into the 60s and 70s across Alabama today with a good supply of sunshine. Dry, mild weather continues Tuesday with a partly sunny sky. RAIN RETURNS: Clouds will increase Wednesday. The day will be mild, with most of the state in the 70s by afternoon. Rain returns to the state Wednesday night into Thursday; the Storm Prediction Center has defined a low-end marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thunde ..read more