Showers were increasing in number across various parts of North and Central Alabama early this evening. There has been a quick increase in showers, along with a few thunderstorms, over Tuscaloosa, Shelby and Jefferson Counties. Danny Hill sent us a nice photograph of a developing storm in the Helena area. A thunderstorm is now in progress along the Jefferson/St. Clair County line and thunder can be heard in Trussville. Showers were fairly numerous from the Tuscaloosa/Northport area eastward across Tuscaloosa County to the north edge of Bibb County and SW Shelby County. They were all moving ENE to NE.
Meanwhile, strong thunderstorms continue over Eastern Mississippi. The NWS/Jackson has issued several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings late this afternoon and early this evening. It is pouring rain in Lauderdale County in East/Central Mississippi, including the Meridian area. NWS/Jackson issued a Flash Flood Warning for Lauderdale County, including the city of Meridian until 8:45.
According to radar estimates, rain amounts of 3 to 4 inches has already fallen between Marion and the Meridian Naval Air Station in the last hour alone. This heavier rain will be spreading into West Alabama Sumter County and possibly South Pickens County.
