Storms likely this weekend

Published 3:02 pm Friday, March 25, 2011

It’s going to be a wet weekend for Chilton County, as thunderstorms are in the forecast for all day Saturday and early Sunday, the National Weather Service reports.

There is a 100-percent chance of thunderstorms after 7 a.m. Saturday and for the remainder of the day. The first break in rain will likely come between noon and 4 p.m. Sunday, with things clearing up after about 1 p.m. Monday.

NWS meteorologist Jessica Calley said there is a potential for strong, damaging winds and large hail.

“The main threat for severe thunderstorms is going to be from 10 a.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday,” Calley said. “The threat of a tornado is small, but we’re not going to rule that out completely.”

The best precaution, Calley said, is to have a NOAA weather radio and remain indoors. She advised taking shelter in a room with no windows or outside walls. Those in mobile home parks and similar areas should know where their community shelter is located. Everyone should have an emergency action plan in place, Calley said.

“Our peak severe weather season runs from late March through early May,” she noted.

Temperatures will range from the mid-50s to the upper-70s Saturday and from the mid-60s to the lower-70s Sunday.