Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move across the Chattahoochee Valley Sunday night into Monday morning.

According to the Storm Prediction Center, parts of the Southeast face a risk for severe weather through early Monday morning. Much of east Alabama and west Georgia is currently under a Enhanced Risk for severe storms, including counties in the Chattahoochee Valley such as Barbour Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa counties – and across the river in Chattahoochee, Harris, Muscogee and Troup counties.

Forecasters say the main threat will come from a line of thunderstorms expected to develop along a cold front and move across Alabama into Georgia during the evening and overnight hours.

The primary hazard will be damaging straight-line winds, with gusts potentially reaching 50 to 65 mph. Winds of this strength can bring down trees and power lines, which may lead to scattered power outages and hazardous travel conditions.

There is also a risk for tornadoes, particularly within the squall line itself. These tornadoes can develop quickly and may be difficult to spot at night. The Storm Prediction Center notes that a few stronger tornadoes could develop late tonight across eastern Alabama into adjacent parts of Georgia if isolated storms form ahead of the main line.

Storm timing across the coverage area is expected mainly this evening through the overnight hours. Western portions of Alabama could see storms first during the late afternoon or early evening, with the line reaching east Alabama and west Georgia during early Monday morning.

Residents across east Alabama and west Georgia are encouraged to stay weather aware tonight, especially since storms may occur while many people are sleeping. Having multiple ways to receive warnings, such as weather alerts on mobile devices or NOAA weather radios, is strongly recommended.