Birmingham is starting Friday under clear skies, but the quiet opening is expected to give way to a dangerous night as Hurricane Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast. Rain, flooding and strong winds are expected to build after sunset, with the roughest stretch likely from late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Friday Starts Quiet, Then Conditions Turn
Temperatures should climb to about 81 degrees Friday before falling into the afternoon. Clouds will thicken through the day, and showers are expected to begin around 7 p.m. as conditions deteriorate.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham says showers and thunderstorms will continue overnight, with some storms capable of producing heavy rain. Friday night temperatures should drop to around 60 degrees.
Flooding And Wind Threats Arrive Overnight
Birmingham and Hoover are under a Tropical Storm Watch, and damaging gusts are possible early Saturday. Stronger gusts across Central Alabama could bring down tree limbs, damage unsecured outdoor items and cause scattered power outages.
A Flood Watch is also in effect from Friday evening through Sunday morning. Around Birmingham, 1 to 3 inches of rain are possible, with higher totals in some locations, raising the risk of flooding in low-lying areas, poor-drainage spots, creeks and underpasses.
Saturday Stays Stormy Before The Heat Returns
Saturday is expected to remain cloudy and wet, with a high near 74 degrees and a 100% chance of rain. Tropical storm conditions are possible, and isolated tornadoes may develop mainly east of Interstate 65, so residents should keep multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
Sunday brings a partial break, with partly sunny skies, a high near 77 and only a 20% chance of rain. The calmer weather will not last long: drier weather is expected early next week.
What Birmingham Residents Should Do Now
Secure loose outdoor items, charge phones and avoid unnecessary travel during the worst of the rain and wind. People in flood-prone areas should be ready to move to higher ground, while those near large trees or in manufactured homes should identify a safer shelter before conditions worsen.
Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roads, and residents should follow instructions from local officials as the storm moves through. The most dangerous conditions are expected late Friday night into Saturday morning, not during Friday’s relatively quiet start.
