From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY –UPDATED: At 3:50 a.m., the National Weather Service issued and updated map with timing changes as to when the severe weather will arrive. The new maps are listed below.
With potentially severe weather looming on Monday, local schools are keeping an eye on the developments.
” I am going to expand the window for severe storms to cover a broad 12 hour period, from 12:00 noon through 12:00 midnight,” James Spann said on Alabamawx.com on Monday morning. “However, the core threat remains from 3 until 10 p.m. High resolution modeling suggests a few showers or storms could form early this afternoon over parts of West and Northwest Alabama… it remains to be seen if these tap into the instability, but it is possible. The main action comes after 3:00 as the best dynamic support approaches. The threat should be over in the Birmingham metro by 10:00, but a few storms could linger over East Alabama through midnight.”
Via social media, the Jefferson County Board of Education said, “We will continue monitoring the tracking and the timing of severe weather throughout the night and in the morning with the NWS Birmingham and Jefferson County EMA. Any decision regarding possible closures or canceling after school activities will be made as information becomes available.”
Birmingham City Schools will dismiss at noon on Monday.
Blount County schools are listed as closing at 1 p.m., according Blount EMA.
Jefferson, St. Clair, and Blount counties are in an area with an elevated risk of severe weather on Monday afternoon. The potentially severe weather is expected to impact the local area between 2 p.m. and 12 a.m.
These storms could produce tornadoes, tennis ball size hail, and high wind gust of up to 60 mph.
Due to anticipated inclement weather, Birmingham City Schools will dismiss at noon today. We will continue to monitor weather conditions for any changes or updates.
— BhamCitySchools (@BhamCitySchools) March 19, 2018
Both Oneonta and Blount County Schools will dismiss tomorrow at 1:00 pm due to the possibility of severe storms.
— Blount Co. AL EMA (@BlountEMA) March 19, 2018