Overnight system brings gusty winds

Published 10:24 pm Thursday, January 21, 2010

A storm brought winds of up to 45 mph and dime-size hail to areas of Chilton County early Thursday morning.

The only reported damage was on Chilton County 247 in the Collins Chapel community, where a portion of a roof was blown off a trailer. Chilton County EMA Director Bill Collum said the damage appeared to be an isolated incident.

“Even winds of that strength can do damage to trailers … or even to a normal roof,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Jody Aaron.

NWS issued a significant weather alert shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday. Another system is expected to sweep through Central Alabama between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Aaron said there will be a small chance of storms (between 10 and 15 percent) after midnight Sunday.

Temperatures this weekend are predicted to range from lows in the 40s and low 50s to highs in the mid-60s.

The temperature will begin to drop off again Monday and Tuesday, possibly going below freezing by Tuesday morning, Aaron said.

For around-the-clock forecasts and other weather information, the National Weather Service’s Birmingham office may be reached at (205) 664-3010.