The heaviest rain activity is currently on the western side of Alberto as it continues to move north-northwestward just under 15 MPH. Several locations are currently under Areal Flood Advisories due to the torrential downpours and heavy rain remaining over the same areas for a good bit of time. One is in effect until 10:00 AM for parts of Bibb, Dallas, Hale, and Perry counties, and the other is in effect until 10:15 AM for parts of Tuscaloosa County.
While some banding is starting to form over the eastern half of the depression stretching from Oneonta to Anniston to Roanoke to nearly Auburn, more development can be expected with the heating of the day.
The center of Subtropical Depression Alberto is currently located around Montevalo as of 7:45 AM.
We continue to have a Marginal Risk for the extreme eastern locations of Central Alabama through the day today until Alberto’s center exits the state and makes it into southern Tennessee. There is a very small spin-up tornado threat in the risk area, especially as we get later into the morning and into the beginning of the afternoon as the atmosphere starts to heat up. But this threat pales in comparison to the threat of possible flooding that could occur with Alberto.
Earlier this morning, NWS Birmingham expanded the Flash Flood Watch to include Fayette, Marion, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston counties. While most locations will see rainfall totals of 1-2 inches, locations in the heaviest rain bands could see totals as high as 3-6 inches. The Flash Flood Watch is expected to expire at 7:00 PM this evening.
The Wind Advisory was also expanded to include Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, and Talladega counties. Winds of 15-25 MPH can be expected in the advisory area, with gusts of 35 MPH possible. Large limbs and trees can fall with this wind as the ground will be saturated as the stronger winds move through. The new time of expiration is set for 2:00 PM this afternoon.
We’ll continue to have updates throughout the day.
