A long line of showers and storms extended all along the Alabama-Mississippi border for almost the length of the state. Virtually no lightning with these storms, but a significant weather alert was posted for several NW counties where wind gusts as high as 40 mph expected. One of those alerts was for Colbert County until 9:00 p.m. A strong storm was about 14 miles north of Red Bay and moving north at 60 mph. The whole line of activity is shifting eastward much slower than that. Further west over Central Mississippi, a line of showers along the arctic cold front has actually weakened.
The arctic front will cross over into West Alabama late tonight, maybe around 11:00 p.m. until midnight, and continue east across the state more rapidly. Strong winds can be expected with this situation, even with no thunderstorms. Wind gusts to 45 mph may be common and even stronger atop some of the ridges. This could actually bring down a few trees. The area (much of North and West Alabama) still under a slight risk of severe thunderstorms overnight, however the risk does not appear very strong. It will be turning sharply colder, even in Central Alabama, before daybreak.
Strongest gust so far on the Tuscaloosa Skycam, 38 mph.
