First SPC Watch Issued by a Woman

A notable milestone was reached this afternoon when Liz Leitman, a Meteorologist at the Storm Prediction Center issued the first severe weather watch of what will be many in her career, and the first by a woman!

It is a severe thunderstorm watch for both sides of the Red River Valley in Oklahoma and Texas, where big hail and a couple of tornadoes is a threat this evening.

It is the first volley in a severe weather event that will impact Alabama starting late tonight with a marginal threat of severe storms with damaging winds, large hail, and a brief tornado possible over the Northwestern Corner of the state, including Florence, Athens, Moulton, Russellville, Hamilton and Sulligent. The threat will last from 2 a.m. until 8 a.m.

A greater threat exists starting at noon tomorrow for the rest of the state including the threat of a couple of significant tornadoes (EF-2 or greater) in the Enhanced Risk area shown in orange. Damging winds up to 70 mph and large hail will also pose a threat.

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