Rain and embedded thunderstorms cover the northwestern part of Alabama this morning. The leading edge is from Madison through western Morgan, most of Lawrence, NW Winston, much of Marion and back into Lamar Counties.
The activity is training northeastward along the line while the entire area slides slowly eastward.
None of this activity is severe at this time. But the storms will be accompanied by very heavy rain, lightning and perhaps some small hail.
Dewpoints have jumped to 55F at Tuscaloosa and 64F at Meridian. There is a 10 degree spread in the dewpoints at this hour between the Naval Air Station and the Airport at Meridian.
The dewpoint at Birmingham is 48F.
Thunderstorms are intensifying over Central Mississippi over Rankin, Forest and Leake Counties. Marble and nickel sized hail was reported recently in Rankin County east of Jackson.
Trees were reported down on the campus of Mississippi State University earlier.
Tornado warnings are in effect for Lamar, Jones, Covington and Marion Counties in South Mississippi. This is in the Hattiesburg and Laurel areas. This activity will affect South Central Alabama later in places like Choctaw, Marengo, Perry, Dalla and Wilcox County. This area could especially be trouble later.
Severe weather is possible across the entire area this afternoon as conditions become more unstable and upper level dynamics increase ahead of a cold front. Areas south of I-20 have the highest likelihood for severe weather, with tornadoes a possibility especially over Central Alabama from about Meridian over to Clanton and Roanoke and points south. The rest of the state is in a Slight Risk category also.
Please pay close attention to the latest information throughout the day.
