Florence, Ala. – Residents in northwest Alabama should stay weather aware tonight as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for Lauderdale and Colbert counties until midnight. Dangerous lightning, damaging wind gusts, and heavy downpours could impact the region during the late evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, storms are expected to intensify across the Tennessee Valley through the evening before gradually weakening overnight. The watch, issued at 4:45 p.m. Friday, includes Florence, Muscle Shoals, and surrounding communities.
Strong winds may down tree limbs and power lines, creating the potential for scattered outages. Outdoor events and late-night travel could be disrupted, with heavy rain reducing visibility along U.S. 72 and I-65 corridors. Emergency officials recommend moving indoors when thunder is heard and securing loose outdoor items that could become projectiles in strong winds.
The severe threat is expected to lessen after midnight, but additional storm chances may return over the weekend. Residents are urged to monitor weather alerts in case the watch is upgraded to a warning.
