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Strong/Severe Storms Arrive Later Today

| March 1, 2017 @ 2:04 pm

ACTIVE WEATHER DAY: This morning a moist, unstable airmass covers Alabama with temperatures and dew points in the 60s; for now the radar is quiet at daybreak with hardly any showers statewide. But, to the north, a line of severe storms is pushing through West Tennessee, and a tornado watch is up for much of Middle Tennessee until 10am.

THE SETUP: A deep surface low will be near Detroit at midday today, with a trailing cold front down to Memphis and Houston. The front has good upper support, and it will bring the threat of severe storms to Alabama later today. Thankfully the setup is not the same as yesterday and last night, when a number of tornadoes touched down in Missouri and Illinois. But still, we clearly have the risk of severe storms here.

The Storm Prediction Center has again trimmed the “enhanced” risk of severe storms today… now includes only the far northern part of Alabama, up in the Tennessee Valley. We have the stand “slight” risk of severe storms down to U.S. 80 (Demopolis to Montgomery to Opelika)… and a “marginal” risk for the rest of South Alabama.

TIMING: The storms will impact Northwest Alabama from 9am until 1pm… places like Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Anniston, and Gadsden will see the highest chance of severe weather from 1 until 5pm… and then to the south Montgomery, Auburn, Greenville, and Troy will have the main risk from 5 until 9pm.

THREATS: The main issue will come from strong, potentially damaging straight line winds with the line of storms ahead of the cold front. Large hail is possible as well, and we can’t rule out an isolated tornado, but the overall tornado threat is low.

RAIN: Amounts of around 1/2 inch are expected, not enough to cause flooding.

Be sure and pay attention to severe thunderstorm warnings today; remember, straight line winds can knock down trees and cause damage like a tornado.

TOMORROW/FRIDAY: Sunny cool days, clear and cold at night. Highs 57-62, the low Friday morning will be in the mid 30s.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A morning freeze is likely early Saturday with a low between 25 and 30 for most places… then sunny weather continues Saturday and Sunday with a slow warming trend. The high Saturday will be in the low 60s, followed by upper 60s Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: Monday will be mild and dry… but clouds move in Tuesday, and a band of showers and storms will move through late Tuesday and Tuesday night ahead of a cold front. For now the severe weather threat looks low… then cooler, drier air returns for the latter half of the week. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

ON THIS DATE TEN YEARS AGO: An EF-4 tornado moved through the South Alabama community of Enterprise around 1:00 p.m… The most severe damage took place at Enterprise High School, where a section of the school was destroyed during the middle of the school day. Eight students were killed at the school and 50 other people were taken to local hospitals.

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I have a weather program this morning at Walter Kennedy Elementary in Pell City… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.

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