Be prepared: National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of rain in Birmingham this week

 

52410482 2100167730022632 1262767724153536512 o Be prepared: National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of rain in Birmingham this week

Coinciding with “Severe Weather Awareness Week” in Alabama (February 17-23), Birmingham is expected to accumulate between 6 to 8 inches of rain  within the week of February 15 to February 21.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) Birmingham Office the heaviest rains  may occur on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Of course, the forecast on amount of rainfall may change over the week.  For example, already since Friday February 15, the rainfall totals forecasted for North Alabama , particularly the Shoals has increased from 4-6 inches to now 9-10 inches. See the changes below from the maps published by NWS Birmingham and NWS Huntsville Offices.

Screen Shot 2019 02 18 at 4.33.08 AM Be prepared: National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of rain in Birmingham this week
Map issued on February 15 by the National Weather Service predicting 6-8 inches of rainfall in the Birmingham area over the next week
Screen Shot 2019 02 18 at 4.43.14 AM Be prepared: National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of rain in Birmingham this week
The weather forecast from the National Weather Service Huntsville Office

Be prepared for flooding

The 2nd leading cause of weather related deaths over the past 30 years were not hurricanes or tornadoes, but flooding.  Many of those tragic events happen while people are driving their car through flooded areas. Below are some helpful graphics/tips how to avoid getting caught in a bad situation concerning floods.

Screen Shot 2019 02 18 at 5.10.12 AM Be prepared: National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of rain in Birmingham this week
Useful tips from the National Weather Service Birmingham

Screen Shot 2019 02 18 at 5.09.24 AM Be prepared: National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of rain in Birmingham this week

FEMA’s Flood Mapping Tool

In preparation for potential flooding the NWS Huntsville Office published on Facebook a useful mapping tool produced by FEMA to help people identify areas at risk for flooding. Just input your address and up comes a map identifying your home and describing flooding risk factors.

Watch locally

We encourage folks to keep an eye on all these week long weather developments.  Along with the National Weather Service Birmingham Facebook page here are links to the local weather forecasts:

WBRC Fox 6
WVTM NBC 13
ABC 33/40
WIAT CBS 42  

 

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

Articles: 2396