Good Morning! Here’s a brief video introduction of the tragic tornado events overnight and what we can expect here.
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT: The Storm Prediction Center has most of northern and central Alabama in a Level 2 Threat, as far south as about Montgomery and Greenville. Most of south Alabama is under a Level one Marginal Risk. All but the extreme southeast counties are included.
The main threat for many of us will be damaging wind gusts with the strong line of thunderstorms. While the tornado threat will be low, it will not be zero. The greatest tornado threat will be across north Alabama today. But, even when the line reaches central and into south Alabama, a spin up tornado or two is not out of the question. Here’s a couple of Future Radar snapshots for this afternoon. Don’t take the timing literally, because it could change.
This TIMELINE map from NWS will likely change, but here’s a little thumbnail on when the storms will affect various parts of the state.
Early this morning, north Alabama already has a Tornado Watch until 11AM.
A HORRIFIC NIGHT IN MULTIPLE STATES: Early this morning, there are indications that the tornado death toll could be quite high. Parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee were hard hit. Kentucky appears to be the worst. Mayfield, KY has been destroyed. One particularly damaging tornado was on the ground for 200+ miles. The Kentucky Governor, says the death toll will be at least 50 and perhaps as high as 70 to 100. When the final chapter on this outbreak is written, this will be one of the worst nocturnal Tornado outbreaks in decades, and could rival some of the worst nighttime outbreaks in history. There were at least three dozen tornado reports and 130+ tornado warnings.
TODAY: Warm day. High near 76 before lunchtime. The morning should be mainly dry. The main band of showers and storms should reach the US 80/I-85 corridor after lunchtime. Rain and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe. Damaging wind gusts are main threat. A few spin-up tornadoes are possible. Temperatures will fall into the 60’s in the afternoon, 50’s by evening. South wind 10 to 20 gusting to 30 ahead of the front, shifting to the NW in the afternoon. Showers ending later tonight. Clearing late tonight. Windy & colder. Low 42.
SUNDAY: Sunshine. Much cooler. High 59. Clear sky, colder Sunday night. Low 38.
NEXT FEW DAYS: Cool sunshine Sunday. The coldest morning will be Monday morning. Extended period of dry, sunny, storm-free days next week. Warming trend. Highs in the 70’s Tuesday through late week.
.
Stay weather aware today. Expect a tornado watch, and a few warnings. By late afternoon/early evening the threat will shift out of the area. Our weather app will keep you up to date. You will receive instant push notification. We will also be interrupting for warnings on the radio. I’ll have another Blog update tomorrow morning.
–Rich