Alabama’s hidden tornado season + what you need to know

Growing up in Alabama, I am no stranger to tornado season. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned that the dangerous severe weather can happen in the fall, too.

While the primary tornado season is March-May as most of us would assume, the secondary severe weather season runs from early November to mid-December.

November is actually the third-most likely month to experience tornadoes in Alabama, behind April and May.

Tornadoes occur when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico clashes with the cold, dry air from the north. The atmospheric conditions become unstable and can produce severe weather such as heavy thunderstorms and tornadoes that Alabamians have become accustomed to.

Like the spring, the threat varies, but Alabamians should remain weather aware. With help from the National Weather Service, we’ve rounded up some safety precautions to keep in mind.

Know the terms

Knowing important phrases and what they mean can be helpful if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

• Tornado watch: Conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form. Be prepared and have safety plans in place.
• Tornado warning: Either a tornado has been spotted or a radar has picked one up. Act immediately.

Know where you are

It may sound obvious, but take a second to seriously observe your surroundings. Where is the safe place to hide when weather strikes in your city or county? Are the safe spots accessible for everyone in your family?

Know your area’s risk for tornadoes. While the whole of Alabama has a significant and frequent risk, the Jefferson, Mobile, Baldwin, Cullman, Madison, Tuscaloosa and Marshall counties have the highest count of tornadoes since 1950, according to the National Weather Service.

• Dark, green sky: Created when the light of a setting sun mixes with a thick cloud of water droplets and ice, the green sky and dark clouds can be an indicator of severe weather
• Funnel-shaped cloud: While a funnel cloud does not immediately equate a tornado, it does become one when it touches the ground or has a debris cloud under it
• Loud sounds: Similar to the roar of a freight train, this loud rush means it is time to seek shelter

Know how to prepare

• Identify a trusted local news source to get informed and regionalized information
• Find a safe spot in your home and place of work to ride out the storm
  • According to the Red Cross, the safe spot should be able to withstand high winds, have no windows, and be on the ground level
• Purchase a battery-powered radio, backup cell phone battery, and emergency supplies such as medication, records, water, and nonperishable food to have on hand in case the power goes out

How are you staying weather aware, Alabama? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.