By Ngoc Vo

The National Weather Service has reported of a strong low pressure system that will bring a chance of strong to severe storms to the southern portions of central Alabama, including Pike County, on Sunday.

“There is a potential of severe weather in the (Pike) area during the morning hours of Sunday to the early afternoon,” said Hollie Allen, a NWS meteorologist. “The weather condition can bring damaging winds, isolated tornados and heavy rain falls.”

Jenna Barnes, director at Pike County EMA said the agency is on standby ready for the weather condition.

“We had a briefing with the National Weather Service, Birmingham (Friday) and will have another one (Saturday) to get the current condition,” Barnes said. “The severe weather will enter the state around 6 a.m. Sunday and exit the eastern part of the county around 3 p.m.”

Barnes said considering the forecast, this is still an evolving situation.

“Despite the timeframe, the weather condition can change quickly,” she said. “People should constantly check for updates.”

After Sunday, the area will be dry through next week, Allen said. However, temperatures will drop to the 30s.

“Once the rain moves out the area,” she said, “the cold air will lag behind and will arrive Tuesday night. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the overnight low temperature will be right around freezing.”

According to Allen, right now, we are in the secondary peak of severe weather season. People should be expecting harsh weather condition throughout the end of the year.

“During the month of November and December, we will see a peak of thunderstorm and tornado activities,” Allen said.

The forecast for Saturday is partly sunny, with a high near 64 degrees. There will be showers and possibly a thunderstorm Saturday night with the low around 55 degrees.

On Sunday, there will be showers and possible thunderstorms with the high near 73 degrees. Sunday night, after 7 p.m., there will be a 50 percent chance of showers, with a low around 60 degrees.

Monday is forecasted to be sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and a high near 73 degrees. The low for Monday night is currently forecasted around 44 degrees.

Tuesday is mostly sunny, with the high near 60 degrees and the low around 36 degrees that night.

Wednesday is sunny, with a high near 55 degree, a low near 34 degrees.

For Thanksgiving Day, it will be sunny, with a high near 58 degree.

Allen gave several safety tips to handle the severe weather this weekend.

“Before Sunday, people should make sure they have multiple devices to receive severe weather warnings such as the NOAA weather radio or cell phone apps,” Allen said. “During Sunday, people should remain weather-aware and have a plan so when a weather warning is issued, they know where to go for shelter.”

Allen said a safe shelter is a hallway, a closet or basement in a well-build home. She suggested that residents in manufactured or mobile homes think about somewhere else to shelter in case of severe weather.