Severe Thunderstorm Watch for North Alabama

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for North Alabama. It includes: Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Marshall, Cullman, Jackson, Limestone, Morgan, DeKalb, Lauderdale and Madison Counties. It goes til 7 p.m.

If you look at Skycam pictures across North and Central Alabama, it seems foreign that strong to severe storms are expected later this afternoon and this evening. But just step outside and you will be slapped in the face with dewpoints in the 70s and temperatures pushing 90+ degrees. This heat and humidity will be the fuel this afternoon for thunderstorms that will push into the state from the north. Instability values are already high and will get higher, with CAPEs in the 2000-3000 joules range. But those values are not unusual for summer in Alabama.

What is unusual is that we have an effective spark in the form of a cold front that lies across Kentucky and southeastern Missouri. This front is being propelled by a fairly strong upper level trough over the Ohio Valley.

There is just enough wind shear for us to think that the storms will become organized, helping enhance their severe potential. The presence of lots of dry air aloft really increases the threat of damaging winds.

Storms are forming over Central Tennessee now, from the Nashville area on east. This development should fire further westward over the next hour or so. The leading edge of these storms will push into the Northwest corner of Alabama around 1:30 and across the Tennessee Valley through 3 p.m. They should reach the I-20 corridor around 5:30-6 p.m. and on into Central Alabama during the early evening.

The storms have a high potential for producing damaging winds. There could also be large hail. The tornado threat is very small, but we can’t rule out one.

Please pay close attention to the weather this afternoon and evening. Take severe thunderstorm warnings very seriously with this event. Remember, severe thunderstorm winds can cause tornado like damage and injuries and even deaths.

Category: Alabama's Weather, Severe Weather