A severe storm is expected to wipe out Alabama this week. This is because the National Weather Service has suspended radio services that broadcast key weather information for the region.
The Birmingham NWS office said it will implement “mandatory scheduled updates” to the advanced weather interactive processing system used to display and integrate weather and water information and to make lifesaving information such as weather and water warnings available to the public.
According to the NWS, the update is expected to last from May 19th to May 21st.
The NWS said it will not affect providing forecasts, weather advisories, clocks or warnings while software updates are complete. Radio outages will affect transmitters in northern and central Alabama, including Winfield, Wannta, Birmingham, Aniston, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, Auburn and Texasville.
The NWS did not immediately return a request for comment, but the agency said in a statement online that the Birmingham forecast office will remain open and staffed while software updates take place. The forecasting business will also be running at the backup office in Peachtree City, Georgia.
NOAA Weather Radio is a national network of radio stations that broadcast official forecasts, weather warnings and other information from the National Weather Service. The 24/7 service broadcasts warnings and information about other types of dangers, including earthquakes, avalanches, oil spills and public safety announcements.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the National Weather Service, said NOAA weather radio stations across the country will be on service for two to three days for necessary updates on a rolling basis until June.
“The NWS Local Office plans to notify listeners both on-air and on the website when updates are scheduled,” an agency official said on the NOAA Weather Radio website.
The state is one of several at risk of severe storms this week. Thunderstorms on Tuesday, in particular, could cause damage to large hail and tornadoes, 60 mph, in northwest and central Alabama.
This week’s radio stop coincides with Alabama’s bad weather, but it’s not the only state that is expected to be a mural along extreme weather.
Around 31 million people are at risk of a severe storm on Monday within a band that stretches from northern Texas to Iowa. Winds, big hails and some strong tornadoes are possible from Monday afternoon to evening.
On Tuesday, the risk of a severe storm will change slightly. From northern Louisiana to Indiana, big hail, winds and some strong tornadoes will once again be possible.
Meanwhile, the heat wave brought temperatures to the late 90s or parts of Texas and Florida in the Triple Digit earlier this week.
These warnings come after a weekend storm of violence that has led to reports of tornadoes in at least 10 different states, including Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Kentucky. At least 28 weather-related deaths were confirmed over the weekend.
A fatal storm hits as NOAA rushes to fill key forecasting jobs around the country after the Trump administration made deep cuts at the National Weather Service. Critics say the lack of staffing in the NWS could have a massive public safety impact, especially as hurricane season approaches, wildfires rise and extreme heat remain in place this summer.
