Damaging Winds Possible for Lamar and Marion Counties By 4 p.m.

A line of strong storms is near Northwest Alabama this afternoon.

Strong storms extend from Iuka to Fulton to New Houlka to just east of Winona.

The storm just west of Okolona has shown a Tornado Vortex Signature (TVS) and has strong indications of damaging winds and hail over one inch. It appears to be forming into a bow echo. It is currently tornado warned. This storm should reach Okolona before 330 p.m.

Trees were reported down in Calhoun County MS.

A new severe thunderstorm warning was just issued to the Alabama border in Mississippi.

At the current rate of motion, the storms will be into western Franklin County by 315 p.m.

The strongest storm is a little more than an hour from western Marion and northern Lamar Counties. A heads up to our friends in that area to be watching this storm closely. If it holds together, it could bring damaging winds to Lamar and Marion Counties a little after 4 p.m. Be ready to leave mobile homes as it gets closer for well built site homes or sturdy buildings.

Other locations and times:
…Jasper: 5 p.m.
…Cullman: 515-530 p.m.
…Tuscaloosa: 5:30 p.m.
…Birmingham: 545-6 p.m.

The storms should be out of the Birmingham area by 8 p.m. with the rain gone by 9.

Instability are moderately strong across the areas in front of the storms. Temperature decreases with height (lapse rates) are favorable for intense updrafts across much of West Alabama. Wind shear is light right now, but is expected to increase across Northwest Alabama over the next few hours, which will help the storms hold together as well.

Damaging winds and hail will be the biggest threat. Any tornadoes that might form should be isolated and relatively weak.

Category: Alabama's Weather