Severe weather to impact the Madison area Thursday night

By Aldo Amato

Staff Reporter

MADISON — Severe weather is scheduled to impact the Madison area during the evening hours of April 18 into the morning hours of April 19.

Mike Gentle with Madison Public Works said tornado watches are expected to be issued Thursday night. Gentle attended an April 18 weather briefing at the Huntsville/Madison County EMA headquarters.

“We may start seeing tornado watches around 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. tonight,” he said. “The main risks will be between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on April 29 with high winds up to 70 mph.”

There will be an additional briefing at 9 p.m. on April 18 to update on the weather conditions. Gentle said conditions will be similar to those that struck the Huntsville area a week prior but with more straight line winds this time.

“As of this afternoon, Madison is at a slight risk,” he said. “We might get a little severe weather or a lot. It always is bound to change but at the moment, the threat is to the west of us.”

Public Works will be monitoring conditions through the night for potential downed trees, flooding and potholes. Gentle said he expects the line of storms to move through quickly but did not downplay the importance of safety.

“It’s going to be real windy out there,” he said. “Staying off the roadways would be the wisest decision.”