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National Weather Service Issues Heat Advisory and Extreme Heat Warning for 20 Alabama Counties

Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 108 are expected across central and western Alabama in a developing heat event.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 17, 2026, 2:23 p.m. ET
Developing · checked 13h ago

Hazard products are revised and cancelled as conditions change. Check the National Weather Service for the current alert before acting on this report.

We last searched for new coverage of this at Aug 17, 2026, 8:11 p.m. ET — checked 13h ago.

On August 18, 2026, a developing heat event prompted weather alerts across Alabama counties, according to official records from . The overall alert period began at 9:00 PM CDT on August 17, 2026, and expires at 9:00 PM CDT on August 18, 2026. The situation remains open and developing. Official records state that the Extreme Heat Warning includes heat index values up to 108 until 9 PM CDT this evening. The includes heat index values up to 107 expected from 9 PM this evening to 9 PM CDT Tuesday. Affected areas include Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chilton, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa counties, covering cities such as Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Selma, Prattville, Opelika, and Eufaula. The National Weather Service reported that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Recommended precautions include drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned rooms, staying out of the sun, and checking up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. For outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Heat stroke is an emergency, and official guidance instructs calling 9 1 1 immediately.

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  1. Version 117 Aug 2026, 18:23current

    First published.

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