Rain now covers most of North Central Alabama this morning…
It is generally light over the eastern half of the area, but a large area of moderate to heavy rain now extends from southern Blount across parts of Jefferson and western Shelby County westward through Walker… Tuscaloosa… Bibb… Fayette… Lamar and Pickens Counties. This heavier activity extends well back into Mississippi near Starkville and Ackerman.
The area is translating east at about 15 mph. Most areas of North Central Alabama can expect 6-8 hours of soaking rain through this afternoon. One hour ranfall amounts will average around 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch, with the core of the heaviuer rain area producing from 1/2 to occasionally 1 inch per hour amounts later. Most areas across North Central Alabama can expect to receive 1 to 2 inches of rain today.
Along the southern edge of the rain area, some heavy rain was noted in a rain mass over southern Bibb and Perry Counties. This could feature some lightning and thunder eventually as it moves into Chilton and southern Shelby Counties. Some thunder could be experienced during the day with any storms that form.
To the south, a line of thunderstorms has formed from about the Meridian area back into southern Mississippi. This should continue to grow in intensity into the afternoon as it moves into South Central Alabama. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few severe thunderstorm warnings from about Clanton south later today.
