Of all the ways one could honor Alabama’s severe weather awareness week, multiple days of rain and flooding with a finale featuring 70-mph winds and possible tornadoes probably isn’t ideal. Unfortunately for Limestone County residents, that’s what Mother Nature has had in mind.

The National Weather Service extended a flash flood watch for Limestone County and surrounding areas until 6 a.m. Saturday. Residents throughout the county experienced flooded roads and yards Wednesday, with rain continuing to cause issues Thursday.

Today could be a mild exception, with heavy rainfall predicted for southern middle Tennessee and far northwest Alabama. Unfortunately, it will add runoff to already swollen rivers and creeks, and flash flooding is still possible, according to a hazardous weather outlook released 2 p.m. Thursday by the NWS’ Huntsville office.

NWS meteorologist Brian Carcione said another 2–4 inches could be possible by the end of Saturday, with heavier amounts in northern Limestone County. The forecast calls for strong to severe thunderstorms Saturday evening.

“The main threat on Saturday is going to be damaging straight-line winds, but we can’t rule out tornadoes,” Carcione said. “… Sometimes there are breaks along the line and there are just real quick tornadoes that form along the breaks. They don’t tend to be very long-lasting, but obviously for the folks hit by them, they can be lasting (in effect).”

NWS also advised there would be a higher risk of falling trees Saturday due to the already saturated ground. Unlike the cold rain seen Thursday, highs are predicted to reach the 70s in most parts of North Alabama.

Next week

Rain clouds are expected to go away and stay away on Sunday — at least for a little while.

“I’m sure folks will say, ‘We’ll believe it when we see it,’ but it looks like several days of dry weather Sunday into next week,” Carcione said.

Monday is set to be the coldest point in the dry spell with temperatures expected to reach the 50s but no higher. The forecast calls for rain to come again Wednesday.