Tornado Watch Coming Shortly for Western & Northwest Portions of the Area

The Storm Prediction Center is highly considering issuing a Tornado Watch for the northern and northwestern parts of the area very shortly, possibly within the next 30-60 minutes. Here is the latest Mesoscale Discussion from the SPC:

Probability of Watch Issuance…80 percent

SUMMARY… Some increase in potential for damaging winds and QLCS tornadoes is expected through the afternoon. A watch will likely be considered in the next hour.

DISCUSSION… Filtered sunshine through upper-level clouds has warmed temperatures into the upper 60s F across northern Mississippi/Alabama. More importantly, dewpoints which began the day in the 40s F have now risen into the low 50s F as the warm front has continued to the north. Given the current northeastward speed of the ongoing convection in western Mississippi, continued destabilization should support on the order of 500-1000 J/kg MLCAPE by mid/late afternoon. Greater uncertainty in sufficient destabilization exist in north-central into northwest Mississippi. A favorably timed increase in the 850-700 mb winds will bring an attendant threat of damaging wind gusts and QLCS-embedded circulations/tornadoes.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather