Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas Face Multi-Day Severe Weather Threat With Heavy Rain, Fog, and Possible Tornadoes

ALABAMA — A complex, multi-day weather system is unfolding across the central and southeastern United States, bringing dense fog, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and a growing risk of severe weather, according to the latest forecast data and Storm Prediction Center outlooks.

Meteorologists are closely monitoring this setup as multiple cold fronts, strong wind shear, and moisture-rich air interact through mid- and late week, creating the potential for dangerous travel conditions, flooding, and isolated tornadoes, particularly from Wednesday night through Friday.

Dense Fog Advisory Covers Most of Alabama Overnight

A Dense Fog Advisory is currently in effect for most of Alabama, with visibility expected to drop significantly between now and mid-morning Wednesday.

• Visibility may fall to near zero in some areas
• Travel conditions will be especially hazardous overnight and during the early commute
• Fog coverage extends across central, western, and southern Alabama

This fog is developing ahead of an approaching storm system, aided by high moisture levels and light surface winds, creating ideal conditions for widespread visibility restrictions.

Heavy Rainfall Expected Across Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee

Forecast guidance, including ECMWF ensemble precipitation data, indicates a corridor of heavy rainfall developing from eastern Mississippi through northern and central Alabama into Tennessee.

Key rainfall projections include:

• 2 to 3 inches of rain likely across northern and central Alabama
• Localized totals may exceed 2.5 inches
• South Alabama expected to see lighter totals, generally 1 inch or less
• Heaviest rainfall axis extends from Mississippi into Tennessee

This rainfall is expected to arrive Friday into early Saturday, raising concerns for ponding on roads and localized flooding, especially in low-lying or poor drainage areas.

SPC Highlights Expanding Severe Weather Risk Through Friday

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has maintained and expanded its severe weather outlooks for the region:

Wednesday Night (Marginal Risk – Level 1/5)

• Covers northern Oklahoma into west Texas
• Storms likely to remain elevated
• Primary threats: isolated large hail and damaging winds

Thursday (Conditional Severe Risk)

• Focused on the southern Plains and Mid-South
• Instability is limited, but strong wind shear is present
• If storms develop, low-end all-hazards risk is possible

Friday (Widespread Severe Risk)

• Risk area shifted slightly south, but remains significant
• Covers Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama
• All severe hazards possible, including:
  • Damaging winds
  • Large hail
  • Isolated tornadoes

Meteorologists note that storm development will depend heavily on timing and storm placement, but if storms can tap into the strongest overlap of ingredients, the environment would support severe outcomes.

Wind Shear and Atmospheric Setup Raise Tornado Concerns

Upper-air data and storm-relative helicity maps show strong wind shear across the Lower Mississippi Valley, especially Friday evening into Friday night.

Key atmospheric signals include:

• Strong mid-level winds exceeding 70 knots
• Favorable low-level shear for storm rotation
• Sufficient moisture returning north ahead of the cold front

While instability remains marginal, shear profiles alone are strong enough that any sustained thunderstorm could quickly become severe.

Cold Air May Bring Snow to the Great Lakes After the Storm

As the system exits late Friday into the weekend, colder air may wrap in behind the storm, allowing some precipitation to change over to snow across parts of the Great Lakes region.

• Some guidance shows up to 8 inches of snow possible
• Final totals will depend on temperature trends
• Snow potential remains uncertain but worth monitoring

What to Watch Closely Over the Next 72 Hours

Residents across the affected states should prepare for:

• Dense fog impacts through Wednesday morning
• Heavy rain and flooding potential late week
• Severe thunderstorms Friday, including tornado risk
• Rapid weather changes as multiple fronts pass through

Weather officials stress the importance of staying weather-aware, especially during overnight hours when storms and fog can pose greater danger.

If you’re tracking how this developing storm system could affect travel plans, events, or outdoor activities, stay connected with ongoing coverage and updates at Waldronnews.com, where we continue to monitor major weather events impacting communities across the United States.