Alabama 811 | Know What's Below.

Be Ready For Strong to Severe Storms Early Saturday Morning

| January 20, 2017 @ 11:17 pm

Strong to severe thunderstorms are occurring over Louisiana tonight as a warm front lifts north out of the Gulf of Mexico ahead of an approaching upper level disturbance. The warm front will gain momentum overnight as the low level jet intensifies at about 5,000 feet and transports warm, moist low level air northeastward. A strong upper level jet max of over 125 knots (145 mph) will overspread the region, enhancing the storms.

Downstream, the airmass over southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi into southwestern Alabama will be destabilized by drier air aloft moving in from the west over the rich low level air coming off the Gulf of Mexico. Storms should continue to be severe through the overnight hours in these areas. Supercells with tornadoes will be possible.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

The mass of thunderstorms will enter West Central Alabama around 4-5 a.m., entering around Sumter County. They should reach Tuscaloosa by 5 a.m. and Birmingham by 6:30 a.m. They will get into East Alabama after 7 a.m.

Severe threat through early morning: orange=greatest threat, yellow=a few severe storms, green=isolated severe storms possible

The biggest threat of severe weather through 7 a.m. will come over Southwest Alabama, south of a line from Cuba to Thomaston to Beatrice to Atmore and Orange Beach. There is still a good chance of severe weather as far north as a line from Pickensville to Tuscaloosa to Brent to Prattville to Luverne to Navarre Beach. But storms could reach severe limits as far north as a line from Hamilton to Oneonta to Alexander City to Enterprise.

Through the morning hours, the severe threat will lift east northeast as well, with isolated storms as far north as US-278, scattered severe storms south of I-20 and the best chance for severe weather, including tornadoes, south of I-85.

Additional storms will develop Saturday night over Mississippi and move into western Alabama. There are still signs that the storms could have very large hail. This development is not as certain at this time, but could pose an enhanced severe weather threat.

Scott Martin will be providing continuous coverage starting at 3 a.m. on the blog as the storms approach Alabama. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

Category: Alabama's Weather, Severe Weather

About the Author ()

Bill Murray is the President of The Weather Factory. He is the site's official weather historian and a weekend forecaster. He also anchors the site's severe weather coverage. Bill Murray is the proud holder of National Weather Association Digital Seal #0001 @wxhistorian

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