A marginal risk for severe weather on Saturday
A Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms has been issued for central and northwestern Alabama this Saturday, May 25, by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This marginal risk category suggests isolated severe thunderstorms may develop, mainly in the afternoon and evening hours, posing risks of damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, hail, and intense downpours.
Affected areas stretch from Florence and Decatur in north Alabama southeastward toward Montgomery and Auburn. Key cities like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, and Talladega fall within this risk zone. As of Friday morning, Huntsville, which endured significant storm activity earlier this week, remains outside the primary threat area.
Storms may arrive from the northwest
According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance that a mesoscale convective system (MCS) could approach Alabama from the northwest. These storm complexes often bring organized thunderstorm activity that can escalate rapidly. However, the exact timing and location of the system remain uncertain, and the risk zones may shift as forecasts are updated.
South Alabama and future threats
In southern Alabama, no organized severe weather is expected on Saturday, though rain and scattered thunderstorms could still develop. The weekend outlook includes a low-confidence threat of additional severe weather on Sunday and Memorial Day Monday, though forecasters stress that conditions are still being monitored closely and that details are likely to evolve.
Stay alert for updates, especially if you reside or plan to travel through central Alabama, where weather conditions may change quickly during this holiday weekend.
