Northwest Alabama WAFF First Alert Weather

05/23/2026

12am update. Showers and a few overnight Thunderstorms moving in. No severe weather is expected.

05/22/2026

Forecast update. Still possible we see one last round showers and storms over NW Alabama through 7pm. Severe threat is low.

Another round of storms may develop later this afternoon over Mississippi and move into northwest Alabama this evening, with a similar isolated tornado risk if enough sunshine develops to increase instability. The biggest concern overall will be heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding due to very high moisture levels in the atmosphere, especially in areas that have already received significant rain. Storms should gradually weaken after sunset with a temporary lull overnight, although a few new showers or storms could redevelop toward daybreak Saturday. Looking ahead to Sunday and Sunday night, rain and thunderstorm chances increase again as another storm system approaches from Texas. Severe weather potential appears lower at that time because winds aloft are weaker, but repeated heavy rainfall, flooding concerns, and frequent lightning will remain possible.

Brad Travis

05/22/2026

Storms getting stronger this morning. Tracking east northeast. Should clear the area later this afternoon.

9:30am. SPC monitoring west Alabama for a possible tornado watch. Right now a 40% chance of it. An increasing threat for brief tornadoes and localized damaging winds is developing this morning into the early afternoon across parts of western Tennessee, northern and eastern Mississippi, and western Alabama as a storm system moves through the region. Rich moisture, strengthening low-level wind shear, and rotating storm structures could support a few transient supercells capable of producing short-lived tornadoes, although weak midlevel lapse rates may limit overall storm intensity. The risk for damaging winds could grow later today in areas that see more daytime heating and atmospheric destabilization. While uncertainty remains on how widespread or intense the severe weather becomes, conditions may warrant a tornado watch if the threat continues to increase.

05/21/2026

Watching a low end threat for a few strong to severe storms Friday late morning into the afternoon. Just want to make sure nobody is caught off guard.

05/13/2026

Forecast Update. Summer-Like heat this weekend! Much better rain chances later next week.

The Tennessee Valley will see a quiet stretch of weather through Friday before summer-like heat builds in this weekend and early next week. A weak cold front moving through tonight could spark a few isolated light showers or thunderstorms, mainly across northeast Alabama and southern middle Tennessee, but most areas stay dry. Cooler and less humid air settles in behind the front with highs in the 70s Thursday and pleasant overnight lows dropping into the 40s and 50s.
Sunny skies return Friday with temperatures rebounding into the upper 70s and lower 80s. Then the big weather story becomes the heat. High pressure will strengthen across the region this weekend into early next week, pushing afternoon highs into the upper 80s and lower 90s — several degrees above normal for mid-May.
A few isolated storms are possible Saturday, mainly north of the river, but confidence remains low and most communities should stay dry through the weekend. Better rain and storm chances arrive late Tuesday and continue to increase toward the middle and latter part of next week as Gulf moisture surges back into the Tennessee Valley ahead of an approaching cold front. This setup could support more widespread showers and thunderstorms by late next week.
Heat safety will become increasingly important by Monday and Tuesday as Heat Risk levels climb into the moderate category. Anyone spending extended time outdoors — including kids at sporting events, graduation ceremonies, or people working outside — should stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade, and avoid leaving children or pets inside vehicles.

05/08/2026

Forecast update for Mother's Day weekend! Happy Mother's Day. Weather looks pretty good with a few storms possible late in the day.

05/08/2026

And just like that... It's Grass Pollen season..

The Tennessee Valley is beginning the transition into grass pollen season, and after the welcome rain over the last few days, we expect grass growth to really take off across North Alabama and southern Middle Tennessee. Warmer soil temperatures combined with a stretch of 80-degree afternoons will likely send pollen counts climbing through the coming weeks. Unlike the yellow pine pollen we saw earlier this spring, grass pollen is much finer and can trigger more intense allergy symptoms including sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, coughing, and asthma flare-ups for sensitive individuals.

Grass pollen levels are usually highest during warm, dry, breezy afternoons, especially after several sunny days in a row. Many common grasses across the Tennessee Valley — including Bermuda, Timothy, Ryegrass, and Fescue — can produce heavy pollen this time of year. The recent rain helps vegetation grow rapidly, and once sunshine returns, mowing and yard work can stir large amounts of pollen into the air.

There are a few things viewers can do to help reduce symptoms during peak grass pollen season:

Keep windows closed during the afternoon and early evening when pollen counts are highest.
Change clothes and shower after spending extended time outdoors.
Use HEPA air filters if possible inside the home.
Consider taking allergy medication before symptoms become severe, especially on warm windy days.
Limit outdoor exercise during peak pollen hours if allergies are especially bad.

For mowing, the best time is usually late evening or shortly after a rainfall when pollen levels are temporarily lower and the air is less dry. Avoid mowing during the middle of the day or early afternoon when grass pollen concentrations tend to peak. Wearing a mask and eye protection while mowing can also help reduce exposure significantly.

With temperatures trending warmer and vegetation greening up quickly across the Tennessee Valley, grass pollen will likely become one of the main allergy triggers heading deeper into May.

05/07/2026

A good soaking since Tuesday in many areas.

05/06/2026

Storms moving in earlier. They could still pack a punch but since they are moving in earlier they may not be as severe and may be out of northwest Alabama by 3pm. Severe threat is now lower over NW Alabama but still cannot be ruled out.

05/05/2026

Forecast update. Morning storms coudl be noisy with gusty winds and small hail. They will also create delays to the morning commute. The afternoon storms will be stronger. Stay weather alert Wednesday.