Here is the big picture just after 6 p.m.
The storm entering southwestern Jefferson County is weakening now but still will produce strong gusty winds, torrential rains and deadly lightning as it moves northeast. Northern Shelby County and southern Jefferson County will be put under a significant weather alert, which is a level below a severe thunderstorm warning.
Communities that will be affected include Bessemer, McCalla, Hueytown, Helena, Alabaster and Hoover.
There are strong storms over North Alabama from Franklin and Lawrence Counties to Madison, Jackson and DeKalb Counties. They are ahead of a cold front that is about to sink into Alabama at this hour. It is nearing the northwestern corner of the state.
