Parts of south Alabama could face the double-whammy of severe storms and high winds later today, and a rarely-used high wind warning has been issued for several counties.
Winds could gust as high as 55 mph in some parts of southwest Alabama, and the National Weather Service warned that widespread power outages could be possible.
Those winds could affect Alabama before the arrival of severe storms late tonight.
The weather service cautioned those across south Alabama to make sure they have their phones charged starting this afternoon and that they have not one but several ways to get severe weather warnings should they be issued tonight.
The high wind warning will go into effect at 6 pm Tuesday for Washington, Baldwin and Mobile counties.
Winds could be sustained for 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph in the warning area, according to the weather service.
The rest of southwest Alabama, including Choctaw, Clarke, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Escambia and Covington counties, will be under a high wind watch. The weather service in Mobile said it had never issued a high wind watch before.
The weather service said areas in the high wind watch could experience winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
This is an asterisk by the high wind watch, however.
“There remains some uncertainty on how strong the winds will be across the high wind watch,” the weather service said. “We will closely monitor trends today and the watch will either be replaced with a wind advisory or upgraded to a high wind warning depending on the trends.”
What could happen with winds that high? The weather service said “damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”
The weather service in Mobile also issued a rare storm warning for offshore coastal waters. The weather service said sustained winds of 30-40 knots with gusts up to 50 knots will be possible. Seas of 6 to 11 feet will be possible.
Forecasters expect winds to really pick up today ahead of a storm system approaching from the west.
That storm system will bring a cold front through Alabama later tonight, and storms ahead of that front could be very intense. A few strong tornadoes will also be possible, forecasters said.
Falling trees can be deadly in a windstorm. The weather service said people should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. Forecasters said that if possible stay in the lowest level of your home during a windstorm like you would during severe thunderstorms or tornadoes.
Also make sure to secure outdoor items such as trampolines or trash cans.
High wind warnings have been issued for southwest Alabama before, but not often. According to the weather service the last time one was issued for southwest Alabama was March 30, 2022. Another was issued on April 13, 2021, for Mobile and Baldwin counties. Then you have to go back to 2017 and then 2011 to find others.
Gusty winds will be possible across the entire state of Alabama today. The rest of the state will be under wind advisories starting at varying times this afternoon.
All of Alabama will be under wind advisories later today, and a high wind warning and watch will be in effect for southwest Alabama.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Huntsville said on Tuesday morning that a high wind warning was not out of the question for parts of northern Alabama, and that forecasters would be watching trends closely today.
Forecasters expect the winds to begin to die down on Wednesday.