…Severe Weather Threat Continues Across the Area…
Relatively cool and dry air covers much of Central and North Alabama at this hour. Dewpoints over the northern part of the state are in the 40s. There is a very sharp gradient as you head south, with 50s over West Central Alabama and 60s by the time you make it into Mississippi. Very juicy area is over southern Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana, where dewpoints in the upper 60s are found.
This warmer, moist air is being transported north by a strong low level jet and southerly surface winds. Our low pressure system is along the Mississippi River between Memphis and Greenville. A long plume of moisture off the Gulf extends across Mississippi and into Northwest Alabama. Many areas have picked up some steady rains for the past several hours and there have been some embedded storms.
For a time, there were tornado warnings back in Central Mississippi. Now there is a severe thunderstorm warning for Clay County, Mississippi. There have been other earlier warnings for counties such as Leake and Oktibbeha Counties in eastern Mississippi. This activity will reach Alabama’s Marion, Lamar and Pickens Counties within the hour.
WInds gusted to 55 mph in downtown Jackson, MS just before 8 a.m. There have been some reports of penny sized hail.
No severe weather watch is anticipated in Alabama with this activity initially, but we might see some severe thunderstorm warnings. The main threat will be strong winds, accompanied by very heavy rains and dangerous lightning.
It will become a little windy today with the low in close proximity. A lake wind advisory is in effect.
As the low moves northeast, instability will continue to increase and shear values will be very good. If we can make it into the lower 70s with dewpoints in the middle 60s anywhere across Central Alabama, we could see some significant severe weather. The SPC has areas south of I-20 in a Moderate Risk for severe weather today. I think that accurately defines where the best chance for significant severe weather is today. The rest of the area continues in a Slight Risk category.
Stay close to a good source of instant weather information throughout the day. Keep an eye to the sky. Review your severe weather safety plan and be ready to implement it if the weather turns bad.
We will be tracking the weather throughout the day and will have the latest on the ABC3340 Weather Blog.
