ENVIRONMENT

Meteorologists Warn Of Storms Ahead Of Memorial Day

PUBLISHED May 22, 2026, 7:44 AM ET

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Birmingham meteorologists declared a First Alert Weather Day Friday as scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast to affect portions of Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Virginia through the Memorial Day weekend. Storms were expected to begin in West Alabama as early as 8 AM Friday, bringing gusty winds, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours with isolated severe potential. Immediate impacts include reduced visibility, localized flooding risk—particularly near the Ohio River—and disruptions to outdoor plans this weekend. Forecast offices advised monitoring updates; Saturday and Sunday will see intermittent showers with some dry stretches, and Memorial Day itself is expected to feature shower and storm chances that should diminish by evening in many areas.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Early Friday morning: Forecasts indicated storms entering West Alabama as early as 8 AM.
Friday afternoon: Brief isolated severe storms and gusty winds were possible in some areas.
Saturday: Scattered showers expected, with afternoon development across multiple regions.
Sunday: Intermittent showers and thunderstorms with some dry breaks in places.
Memorial Day: Showers and storms likely again, with rain tapering off by evening for many.

News Intelligence

Safety is key here. Storms bring risks like reduced visibility and localized flooding, especially near the Ohio River. Plus, your Memorial Day plans could be disrupted. Keep an eye on updates and adjust your plans accordingly.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 5
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 5

Who Benefited

Emergency responders, meteorological services, and local businesses providing shelter and recovery support may see increased demand and clearer operational priorities due to coordinated forecasts and alerts.

Who Impacted

Outdoor event organizers, attendees, commuters, and residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas face disrupted plans, travel delays, and elevated risk of localized flooding and property impacts.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 5
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 5
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Who Impacted

Outdoor event organizers, attendees, commuters, and residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas face disrupted plans, travel delays, and elevated risk of localized flooding and property impacts.