Severe thunderstorms spell another wet weekend for central Alabama

Video above: The latest forecast from WVTM 13 meteorologists.Numerous heavy thunderstorms are set to explode across Alabama and neighboring states this weekend with strong winds, intense lightning, and torrential rainfall.Last weekend, Gadsden was hit especially hard by high winds that blew trees onto houses and cut power to thousands. While the exact same results are unlikely this weekend, the potential is there for some scattered severe storms on both Saturday and Sunday.Interactive radar: Alabama weather coverage from WVTM 13Saturday and Sunday have been designated Impact Days by WVTM 13 meteorologists.Impact Days are designed to let you know when the weather may cause disruption to your day but is not necessarily extreme or life-threatening.Weather | Radar | Hurricanes | Traffic | uLocal | Facebook | Twitter | InstagramSaturdayThere is a chance for strong to severe storms across central Alabama through the afternoon and evening. Some of the storms may produce gusty winds, hail and localized flooding.AlertsBe aware: Check out the current weather alerts in your area here.TimeframeThe chance of at least 0.10” of rainfall between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. is up to 70% Saturday, but your best chance of storms overall comes in the late afternoon and evening: from around 4 to 10 p.m.Area There is a marginal and slight risk for severe storms in northern and central Alabama.Main ThreatsA single storm will be capable of wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, small hail, dangerous lightning, and enough rain to cause some localized flooding (especially where significant rain fell earlier this week).Download and turn on weather alerts on the WVTM 13 app to know if lightning is in your area or if you are in the water during the holiday weekend.WVTM 13 On The Go: Download our app for freeSundayThere is a chance for strong to severe storms across the state through the afternoon and evening. Some of the storms may produce gusty winds and hail.AlertsBe aware: Check out the current weather alerts in your area here.TimeframeA few storms are possible all day, but our highest chance of widespread heavy thunderstorms comes late afternoon through the evening: from around 1 to 11 p.m. Even then, the most active areas may be just west of Interstate 65 until after sunset Sunday evening.Area There is a marginal and slight risk for severe storms across most of the state.Main ThreatsSevere storms are possible! That means damaging wind gusts and hail as well as heavy rainfall and intense lightning.Stay weather aware with WVTM 13's interactive radar to know when severe storms are entering your area throughout the weekend.Interactive radar: Alabama weather coverage from WVTM 13 The rest of the weekThunderstorms slow down a little early next week as a ridge (weather feature that usually brings hotter, drier weather) begins to build eastward over the South; however, it still does not look strong enough to suppress all thunderstorm activity.The first part of the week looks drier than the last part. As storms move out Sunday night into Monday morning, a brief shot of drier air slides in from the north with a weak cool front. That lowers the humidity and removes virtually all showers and storms for Monday night and Tuesday.Muggy air moves north again Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, so look for hot weather (highs in the mid-90s) and at least a chance of a few isolated, slow-moving, big-time downpours.Stay updated on the latest weather updates with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.