CLANTON, Ala. – A significant outbreak of severe weather, including strong to violent long-track tornadoes, appears likely for portions of the lower MS Valley. The SPC has upgraded portions of MS, TN, and AR to a High-Risk category, and far northwestern AL into a Moderate Risk.
A broken line of supercells will move into northwestern AL between 10 pm and 1 am, move southeastward and exit the state by late Saturday afternoon. In addition, a couple of supercells could develop ahead of the line. Conditions are very favorable for severe weather, especially tornadoes near and north of I-20/59.
Don’t get lulled into thinking, “I’m only in an Enhanced or Slight Risk area”. Below are graphics showing the probabilities of significant tornadoes (EF2 or greater) and significant straight-line winds of 74 mph or greater, both in the hatched areas. Keep in mind, these probabilities are the chances of a significant event within 25 miles of any point in the hatched area. Concerning severe weather probabilities, these are very high no matter what the probability!
Non-thunderstorm winds will increase both ahead of and behind the line of storms across the northern half of the state later today. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 7 pm through 1 pm Saturday for gusts up to 40 mph.
Non-thunderstorm winds will increase both ahead of and behind the line of storms across the northern half of the state later today. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 7 pm through 1 pm Saturday for gusts up to 40 mph.
As the line of storms reaches the I-20/59 corridor early Saturday morning, it will weaken, but the potential still exists for a few damaging straight-line wind gusts until the storms exit southeastern AL by 5 pm Saturday.
We are in the heart of our spring severe weather season, and nighttime tornadoes are not unusual.
If you haven’t reviewed or developed your severe weather plan yet, go to https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather for more information.
Finally, have at least two methods to receive severe weather warnings that will wake you up in the middle of the night, one of which IS NOT an outdoor siren. Outdoor warning sirens are meant just that…for people that are outdoors, and they can fail.
