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The National Weather Service of Birmingham has forecasted severe weather across central Alabama on Friday. East Alabama, including Chambers County, is at an enhanced risk for severe weather, which is three out of five on the NWS scale. 

Birmingham NWS Meteorologist Jason Holmes said the time of the greatest threat is from midday to early afternoon on Friday. 

Nearing the first anniversary of the January tornado, Chambers County and Troup County are at an enhanced risk of severe weather Friday. All weather conditions including thunderstorms, tornadoes and quarter-sized hail are possible, according to Holmes.

The line of storms will move along east of the I-65 corridor and south of the I-20 corridor but Holmes said there may be thunderstorms ahead of it. 

The National Weather Service of Birmingham will continue to update the forecast as it gets closer to Friday. Holmes said people should keep checking in on the weather every day. 

The current impactful weather conditions are likely due to the El Nino weather pattern, which causes the warming of the Pacific waters. 

“You can get impactful weather at any time of the year,” Holmes said. “So I know around here it’s almost like you’re on a constant watch for this kind of thing.”

Holmes recommended people should make an emergency preparedness plan as soon as possible. During a tornado warning, it’s best to be on the lowest floor of a home in a basement, bathroom, closet or storm shelter.

Holmes said people in mobile homes or manufactured homes should seek a designated storm shelter or building that can provide better shelter. He also suggested that everyone have at least two ways to receive weather alerts like a weather radio and a weather app.