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As I write this update, the line of strong to severe storms over eastern Mississippi is approaching the Alabama border. The NWS in Jackson has had a number of their counties under tornado warnings during the pre-dawn hours, but there has been a weakening trend within the hour, and SPC has opted not to extend a severe weather watch into Alabama at this time.
Watch the video for all of the associated graphics, but the bottom line is that we are in a high shear, low CAPE environment this morning. The primary limiting factor is warm air aloft and marginal lapse rates. Even with limited instability, the screaming wind fields still suggest a chance of some severe weather later this morning.
The storms will move through West Alabama in the 6 to 8 am time frame… the I-65 corridor (including Birmingham) between 8 and 10 am, and the U.S. 431 corridor (Anniston/Gadsden) between 10 am and noon.
The primary threat will be from damaging straight line winds, but an isolated tornado is certainly possible. I would not be shocked if we had one or two tornado warnings this morning, so be sure you are in a position to hear warnings if needed.
CALMER DAYS: The sky will clear tonight, and the weather will be dry tomorrow through Saturday with sunny mild days and clear cool nights.
EASTER SUNDAY: The 00Z GFS still suggests Sunday will be cool and dry during the day, but a strong impulse rolls through here Sunday night, and the GFS shows a chance of a little light rain with this feature Sunday night into Monday morning. Thickness values even suggest a chance of snow flakes north of here over Tennessee. Still, moisture will be rather limited and it doesn’t looks like a major rain producer at this point for Alabama.
VOODOO COUNTRY: The next major storm threat still seems to be shaping up for March 28… but the trend lately has been for the better dynamics to pass north of Alabama. Way too early to call… this is only March 19, you know.
WELCOME SPRING TONIGHT: The vernal equinox is just after midnight tonight… spring begins at 12:48 a.m. CDT March 20. Today and tomorrow we will have approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness as the sun is directly over the equator. The amount of daylight will continue to increase until the summer solstice on June 20.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. You can even listen here on the blog; look for the player on the top left.
Stay tuned to the blog this morning for updates on the Alabama severe weather situation from the great Alabama weather legend… J.B. Elliott. Of course, should any tornado warnings be issued, look for our long form coverage on ABC 33/40 and the live stream on abc3340.com…
