Our line of storms continues moving east across Alabama this afternoon. So far, so good with few major problems reported.
Warm air aloft has helped to limit the intensity of the thunderstorm updrafts so far.
The storm in western St. Clair County is intensifying just east of Moody. It has more lightning, lots of heavy rain and could eventually produce strong gusty winds.
The front has passed Birmingham. It passed at 1:57 p.m. as evidence by a wind shift to the west that occurred at the Airport. The dewpoint dropped back to 61F also.
The temperature peaked at 73F today and has since fallen back to 61F.
Heavy rainfall rates are being reported with the main line. Skywatchers report rain falling at the rate of over 3 inches per hour when the main line. Fortunately, it does not last that long and most areas can expect about one half to one inch of rain this afternoon.
There is more thunder now from my location in Trussville. JB, just NE of me, reported very little. Many other skywatchers reported very little.
That storm is now on the Jefferson/St. Clair County line and is the storm of the moment. It’s radar returns have incresaed to become the strongest of the day. It is near Moody. It has risen to a height of 37,000 feet, also the tops for the day so far. It will have to be watched.
Areas east of I-65 and north of I-85 have the best chance for severe weather this afternoon, where instability is highest and in closest proximity to stronger wind shear.
In our area, the tornado watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. CST for Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Hale, Jefferson, Lowndes, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega and Tallapoosa.
The folllowing counties have been cleared from the tornado watch…Greene… Sumter… Tuscaloosa and Walker.
