By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

Due to an increased risk of severe weather on Tuesday, Feb. 23, Shelby County and Alabaster schools have announced that all evening activities occurring after 6 p.m. have been cancelled.

“Due to an elevated risk of severe storms and high winds later this evening, the Shelby County School District has canceled all evening activities after 6 p.m. tonight,” read a statement from the county school district.

The latest update from the National Weather Service in Birmingham has placed Shelby County in an elevated threat area from 6 p.m. Tuesday evening until 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The elevated threat area could include tornadoes and damaging winds up to 70 mph with the potential for golf ball sized hail.