AccuWeather’s 2026 long-range forecast shows a shift in the U.S. severe weather pattern.

While nationwide tornado activity is expected to decrease slightly compared to last year, Alabama remains at risk for damaging thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and flash flooding. 

Here’s what to know about AccuWeather’s long-range forecast and how Alabama will be affected.

Will Alabama see fewer tornadoes in 2026?

According to AccuWeather, the U.S. could see 1,050 to 1,250 tornadoes this year, roughly 20-30% fewer than in 2025. For Alabama, this means a slightly lower tornado threat, but residents should not let their guard down.

“Even with fewer tornadoes than last year, this is not a quiet season,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus. “Flash floods and severe thunderstorms can impact large areas, causing serious damage.”

Which areas of Alabama are most at risk?

The northern and central parts of the state, including Huntsville, Decatur and surrounding counties, face a higher risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail.

Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery could see heavy downpours and flash flooding, while cities in coastal counties may experience localized flooding from repeated thunderstorms.

Why is Alabama at risk this spring?

Several factors increase Alabama’s 2026 severe weather risk:

• Warm Gulf waters: provide extra moisture for storms.
• Weaker upper-level jet stream: limits tornado setups but allows organized thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and flooding.
• Shifting precipitation patterns have increased extreme rainfall events in the U.S. by 70% since 1995, raising flash flood concerns.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Jackson Hospital announced a lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Tuesday over alleged withholding of crucial funds as the hospital continues fighting to remain operational.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama, accuses Blue Cross Blue Shield of withholding nearly $1.4 million in funds following the hospital’s chapter 11 bankruptcy filing last February.

According to the lawsuit, after the hospital began chapter 11 proceedings, federal bankruptcy law enacted an “automatic stay,” a legal injunction that generally prevents creditors from independently seizing funds without the approval of bankruptcy court.

The lawsuit alleges that Blue Cross Blue Shield took the funds without court authorization despite being aware of the bankruptcy filing.

Jackson Hospital said those funds were crucial for the hospital’s ability to maintain essential healthcare services in Montgomery.

“During the period Blue Cross Blue Shield allegedly withheld these funds, Jackson Hospital struggled to remain in operation,” a spokesperson for Jackson Hospital said. “Jackson Hospital is requesting that the Court enforce the automatic stay, which is designed to protect debtors from creditors taking funds post-filing without court approval.”

Jackson Hospital is now seeking a judgment against Blue Cross Blue Shield for money withheld, sanctions for the alleged stay violation and a prohibition against Blue Cross Blue Shield from withholding or controlling further funds without court authorization.

Blue Cross Blue Shield responded Tuesday to Jackson Hospital’s lawsuit, stating that the lawsuit’s claims were inaccurate and that the organization had taken steps to help the hospital navigate its financial difficulties:

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ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft, and the San Francisco 49ers invested in the offensive line for the first time in the first round since Mike McGlinchey.

It’s something we can expect to be popular in every mock draft cycle, but it’s 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster who is on record saying that he tells Kyle Shanahan to draft the guys who score touchdowns in early rounds. Will this year be any different?

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Maybe. Kiper mocked a player to the Niners who does not seem like their type on paper:

Proctor’s tape is all over the place. The highs are really, really good. The lows raise a lot of questions. But in the right situation, he could become a standout tackle in the NFL. And there might not be a better situation than learning behind one of the best to ever do it in San Francisco. Trent Williams will be 38 by Week 1, and he’s entering the final year of his contract. So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027. He has 40 career starts — all at left tackle — and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch.

Proctor is listed at 6’7″, 366 pounds. The 49ers ask their lineman to run and execute blocks on the move and in space. That does not seem like something a player of Proctor’s size would excel at. However, Bruce Feldman’s annual Freak List had Proctor listed with a 32-inch vertical jump. For reference, Trent Williams had a 34.5-inch vertical jump, which is in the 97th percentile. Proctor also had an 815-pound squat, 535-pound bench press, and a 405-pound power clean. That is a powerful human being.

Proctor wasn’t always 366. He was 400 pounds as a freshman. The concern would be Proctor regaining that weight as a pro now that he’s not being monitored as closely. That weight fluctuation could lead to inconsistencies in his play, especially his sets as a pass protector.

But we are talking about a player with the ideal frame, athleticism, and one who looks dominant when he’s engaged. Those dominant stretches don’t always last, and there is enough tape out there to be concerned, which is why he might be available when the 49ers are on the clock.

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Proctor was the No. 1 offensive tackle out of his high school class and will be 21 in June. The pedigree is there. Concerns about handling speed and whether he can maintain his weight are valid, but it’s impossible to ignore his power and how he clears running lanes with ease. Plus, for a player as big as Proctor, the range is where it needs to be.

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Proctor was exclusively a left tackle in college. He could play left guard next to Trent Williams, giving the Niners a talent boost they desperately need at the position.