Alabama Weather Radar
Alabama Live Weather
Alabama Live Weather Radar
Alabama Hourly Weather Forecast
Alabama 7-Day Weather Forecast
Alabama Weather Overview
Alabama weather radar covers one of the most storm-active states in the country, where Gulf moisture and cold fronts combine to produce severe weather year-round. Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with annual precipitation averaging 56.88 inches, spanning from the Tennessee Valley near Huntsville to Mobile Bay on the Gulf Coast. Three NWS offices share coverage: NWS Huntsville (HUN), NWS Birmingham (BMX), and NWS Mobile (MOB). The live Alabama weather radar map reflects warnings from all three offices.
Tornadoes are Alabama's deadliest weather threat. The state averages 64 tornadoes per year and sits in Dixie Alley, with peak seasons in spring (March–May) and fall (October–November). Alabama Doppler radar tracked the April 27, 2011 Super Outbreak as 62 tornadoes tore across the state in a single day — killing 238 and causing $10.2 billion in damage, including a Tuscaloosa-Birmingham EF4 that killed 64. The 1974 Super Outbreak brought 3 F5 tornadoes killing 78, and a 1998 Birmingham F5 killed 32. Real-time Alabama weather radar gives you the best chance to reach shelter before a storm arrives.
Hurricanes and flooding complete the threat picture. Since 1851, Alabama has logged 83 tropical cyclones, including Hurricane Frederic (1979), Ivan (2004), and Sally (2020). Flooding is Alabama's second-most common hazard — the March 1990 flood forced 6,000+ evacuations and killed 13. Use the Alabama weather radar map to track Gulf Coast tropical systems, and check the north Alabama weather radar for flood potential. The Alabama weather radar network keeps residents informed year-round.
Alabama Weather Risks & Safety
Tornado Risk
Tornadoes hit Alabama hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Alabama averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.
Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk
Alabama sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking in August and September when warm sea surface temperatures fuel rapid intensification. On the radar, you can track the eye wall, rain bands, and embedded tornadoes as a storm approaches. If you live in Alabama, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Alabama's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Alabama regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Alabama, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
How to Use Alabama Weather Radar
Check Current Conditions
View the real-time weather summary at the top of the Alabama radar page. Current temperature, humidity, wind speed, and sky conditions appear instantly — giving you a quick read on what's happening from the Tennessee Valley near Huntsville down through the Gulf Coast at Mobile Bay.
Watch the Live Radar Map
The radar map shows precipitation moving across Alabama in real time. Toggle between radar layers and use the animation feature to track storm movement — especially important during tornado season when supercells form along the I-65 corridor and spin up quickly across central Alabama.
Review the Forecast
Scroll down for hourly and 7-day forecasts covering all of Alabama. Watch for tornado watches, severe thunderstorm warnings, and tropical storm alerts. The NWS Birmingham (BMX), NWS Huntsville (HUN), and NWS Mobile (MOB) offices issue watches and warnings for their regions — all reflected in the forecast data here.
Monitor Seasonal Threats
Spring brings tornado outbreaks to central and north Alabama — the 2011 Super Outbreak produced 62 tornadoes in a single day. Summer and fall bring hurricane threats along I-10 near Gulf State Park. Check the Alabama weather radar frequently when any watch or warning is posted for your area.
Who Benefits from Alabama Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Commuters on I-65 between Birmingham and Montgomery, I-20/59 through Tuscaloosa, and I-10 along the Gulf Coast face tornado warnings, heavy rain, and hurricane conditions throughout the year. Alabama weather radar shows storm positions and timing so you can delay your drive or take shelter before dangerous conditions reach your route.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Hikers on the Pinhoti Trail and Chief Ladiga Trail, campers at Cheaha State Park and Oak Mountain State Park, and anglers along the Coosa and Tennessee rivers — check the hourly radar forecast before heading out. Alabama's fast-developing supercells can produce tornadoes in under 30 minutes, and the radar shows storm cells well before they reach you.
Event Planners & Families
Planning a race weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, or a festival at Gulf State Park? Alabama weather radar and the 7-day forecast help you pick weather windows. On event day, the live radar shows exactly when storms will arrive and how long they'll last.
Outdoor Workers
Construction crews and agricultural workers across Alabama — from the fields of the Black Belt to job sites around Birmingham and Huntsville near the U.S. Space & Rocket Center — check Alabama weather radar before scheduling outdoor work. Tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm watches can arrive with under 15 minutes notice, making real-time radar the safest planning tool.