707
FXUS64 KBMX 041759
AFDBMX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1259 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1250 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2026

- A marginal to slight risk (levels 1 to 2 out of 5) for severe
  thunderstorms is in effect for late Wednesday into early
  Thursday. Threats include isolated, brief tornadoes and damaging
  wind gusts.

- Very beneficial rainfall is expected to fall through Thursday
  evening, with most locations seeing 2 plus inches of rain during
  this timeframe.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Monday through next Sunday)
Issued at 1138 PM CDT SUN MAY 3 2026

Surface ridging will continue to dominate the next 48-hours of
the forecast, resulting in limited rain chances through
Wednesday. Afternoon highs will begin to rise, climbing a few
degrees each day, before settling into the upper-70s and 80s by
Wednesday as well . However, by the afternoon hours of Wednesday,
a trough and cold front will begin working closer to the region,
setting the stage for our next round of overnight heavy
thunderstorms.

At the time of this discussion, portions of the region remain
highlighted in a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) from the Storm
Prediction Center. Bulk shear values across the region are more
than sufficient for damaging winds, and stout mid-level lapse
rates would support large hail. However, forecast instability
values are the main question mark right now, as some evening
guidance is far more aggressive than others. Values currently
range from 500 J/Kg to 1500 J/Kg of instability. Each of these
scenarios would result in vastly different outcomes for our
overall severe weather threat . Another caveat is the capping
inversion, which some medium-range guidance holds onto into the
overnight hours  This would ultimately suppress thunderstorm
development, limiting our severe weather threat. Right now, there
still appears to be too many variables in place to fully commit
to a time or threat, and confidence in the severe weather for
Wednesday night is currently very low.

One thing we have higher confidence in right now is another good
soaking of much needed rainfall. Given how this rainfall will be
convective in nature, these values are certainly subject to
change depending on rainfall rates, but some locations could see
2.5 inches of rain through Friday. In general, most locations
across the area can expect to see 1.5+ inches of rain, with
medium confidence in more than a few 2+ inch locations.

The cold front should work through the region during the day on
Thursday, settling somewhere to the south of us. It still looks
like the NBM is holding onto PoPs a little bit longer than it
should given the placement of the cold front. This will most
likely start to align here in the next few days, and will be
worth monitoring if you have weekend plans. Otherwise, look for a
pleasant start to the weekend, with highs settling into the low-
80s by Sunday.

/44/

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1250 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2026

Confidence remains high for VFR conditions throughout the TAF
period due to the influence of surface high pressure across the
Southeast US. Southwest winds this afternoon will become
southerly on Tuesday due to shifts in the surface ridge.

AMD NOT SKED will continue for TCL due to intermittent
observations.

08

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

MinRH values will stay between 30 to 40 percent for all this
afternoon and for the southeastern half of the area on Tuesday,
as a surface ridge keeps dry air in the region. These values will
begin to rebound on Wednesday, as the next organized system works
into the area. Right now, there is high confidence in organized
rain chances Wednesday into Thursday, with some locations seeing 2
plus inches of rain. Given recent rainfall, and the upcoming
rainfall, this should keep fire weather concerns limited given the
wet fuels.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     48  78  59  80 /   0  10  20  70
Anniston    52  80  61  82 /   0  10  10  60
Birmingham  55  79  63  81 /   0  10  10  60
Tuscaloosa  54  82  63  84 /   0  10  10  70
Calera      52  81  61  84 /   0  10  10  60
Auburn      53  80  61  84 /   0   0   0  30
Montgomery  51  82  61  87 /   0   0   0  30
Troy        49  81  60  87 /   0   0   0  20

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

$$

DISCUSSION.../44/
AVIATION...08