Severe Weather Possible New Year’s Eve In Alabama

Dec. 30—One disaster 2020 hasn't dumped on the Tuscaloosa area is severe weather, but as the calendar year closes, residents should be alert for possible high winds, heavy rainfall and a chance of tornadoes Thursday evening, rolling into Friday.

After a freezing yule in which neighboring counties saw White Christmas flurries, temperatures may shoot as high as 70 for New Year's Eve, said Jason Holmes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham. Combine that with a strong cold front moving in from the west, currently threatening to bring snow and heavy rain to much of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, and threats grow.

Typically this area suffers its heaviest severe-weather threats in spring, and again in fall moving into winter, he said.

"So this is like our secondary severe weather system, and it's been very quiet thankfully," Holmes said. "But it was very cold last week, and it's starting to warm up. We expect to have highs in the mid-60s in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, and closer to 70 on Thursday.

"That just provides the energy, if you will, for those storms. Conditions will be rather humid with Gulf moisture streaming up ahead."

Staying aware of threats is a key to preparation, Holmes said, noting that the NWS' forecasts will grow more detailed as the front moves in.

"We could have damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour, and a few tornadoes will be possible," he said. "This is a very moist air mass we're dealing with, so expect heavy rainfall, with potential for localized flooding, especially in areas with poorly functioning drainage systems."

Most smartphones now have free weather apps that will broadcast the local emergency alerts, so residents should check to see if their phones have one of those installed, Holmes said. Media such as The Tuscaloosa News will also be updating their sites as information comes in, and further information can be found through the NWS' site at www.weather.gov/bmx, or at the service's social media presences on Facebook and Twitter.

"Don't rely on the outdoor sirens. Awareness is key," Holmes said. "Looking back just 10 or 20 years, it's amazing how much more technology we have now.

"It gives you time to respond. Before, if you didn't have your TV or radio on, you'd be surprised."

The Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency site, at www.tuscaloosacountyema.org, features useful advice including preparation and safety training, and an interactive map showing about two dozen storm shelter locations scattered throughout the county. If and when they open, the site map will indicate that, said Nick Lolley, Tuscaloosa County EMA director.

He also recommends signing up for the TuscALERT service, which provides weather and other warnings directly to your cellphone or email address. A link can be found on the site.

"It's free, and you can put up to five locations on it; it's location-specific," Lolley said.

In advance, understand the risks, and have a plan, Holmes said. Stock emergency supplies are always good to keep around: flashlights and batteries, portable radios, bottled water, non-perishable food, first-aid kits, and the like.

In the event of a warning, find the safest possible shelter, whether at home, or in a business or school.

"You should always have a designated location to go to when there's bad weather, toward the center part of the building, in the interior, away from windows," he said.

"For those in mobile homes, manufactured homes, they're just not that robust of a structure. We recommend those people either evacuate to a storm structure, or to a neighbor with a well-built home. In high winds, mobile homes can come apart fairly easily."

This week, keeping alert is crucial, as the worst of the storms may come late at night, Lolley said.

"Keep your phone charged," he said. "If you've got a weather radio, make sure you've got extra batteries."

Some people try to "outrun" storms in their vehicle. One word of advice about that from the NWS: Don't. Instead, stay alert to evolving forecasts, and be prepared to leave the car to find shelter in a solid structure. If there's nothing available in an emergency, lie down in a gully, ditch or other low spot on the ground; flying debris is responsible for most deaths and injuries during tornadoes.

"With the trees and hills in (this area), we don't have a long visibility. It's not like out on the plains. In some places in the state you can barely see a storm before it's on top of you. So be ready to take action when a warning is issued," Holmes said.

But on those occasions where you do see severe weather, tornadoes or other dangers, forming, Holmes encourages submitting a storm report at the www.weather.gov/bmx site, or through messages on Facebook or Twitter. Or call the office directly at 205-664-3010.

"We always appreciate reports," Holmes said.

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