Marco And Laura: How They May Affect Birmingham Weather This Week

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Alabama is bracing for the possibility that both Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura will threaten coastal communities with heavy rains and life-threatening storm surges, but Birmingham may not see severe weather this week as a result.

Meteorologist James Spann said Monday that showers are possible statewide today and the heaviest rain will come over southwest Alabama, where a flash flood watch is in effect for the southern half of Mobile and Baldwin counties. Spann said a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe storms are present for that same area, as there is a low-end chance of a waterspout or a brief tornado with Marco passing just to the west.

"Sinking air on the far periphery of Laura, which should be a hurricane in the Gulf Tuesday, could keep a decent part of the state dry Wednesday," Spann said. "Deeper moisture will be pulled into the state Thursday and Friday as Laura passes well to the west, but the heaviest rain and main direct impact, most likely, will remain west of our state. We will gradually increase the chance of rain Thursday and Friday as precipitable water values rise, but neither day will be a washout. Any tornado threat from Laura will most likely remain west of Alabama based on the current forecast track."

The projected tracks of both storms shifted Saturday afternoon, according to the latest forecasts released by U.S. National Hurricane Center. Both are pointed to move through the Gulf of Mexico with Marco primarily hitting Louisiana Monday afternoon and Laura making landfall in the same general area Wednesday, a mere 36 hours later.

The combination of both storms could result in heavy rainfall. NWS predicts Mobile could see 4-6 inches of rain, while areas closer to the coast could receive 6-8 inches and those farther inland could see 2-4 inches.