Weather outlook

Limestone Countians should be weather-aware Saturday as the Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the state, including North Alabama, in a slight risk category for severe storms.

Despite a chilly start to the week, March, April and May represent Alabama’s primary severe weather season. The March 2 tornadoes in southeastern Alabama should serve as a reminder.

“It was an unfortunate way to kick off the severe weather season,” said Brian Carcione, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Huntsville. “It’s not often we start March with such a violent tornado.”

Saturday could present a real possibility for severe weather, though Carcione said strong, damaging winds would be the primary threat. He would not rule out the possibility of a tornado, however.

“Every event is different,” he said. “This is not the same situation we had last week.”

What’s not clear is if Saturday’s storms will be several supercell storms or if it will be a line moving across the state. Carcione said the best chance of storms will come during the late afternoon and early evening hours.

He said residents should take the time to review their severe safety plans and put together a safety kit. Items in the kit should include a first aid kit, flashlight with batteries, spare cash, a credit card and mobile phone chargers.

Once Saturday’s storms are out of the area, there’s another potential for severe storms next week. Carcione said meteorologists are already watching late Wednesday and early Thursday very carefully.

“We’re just in a very stormy pattern right now,” he said.