Severe storms have developed now over west Alabama, and the bow echo is still holding together over SE Arkansas, approaching Memphis. Numerous reports of wind damage have been received in Oklahoma and Arkansas with the bow echo. Take a look at this observation from Fort Smith Arkansas.
KFSM 121736Z 30035G58KT 3/4SM TSRA SQ FEW017 BKN026 21/18 A2999 RMK AO2 PK WND 30058/1732 RAB05 PRESRR P0009=
At 1732Z (1232 pm CDT), they had a wind gust to 58 knots, or 67 mph. Some gusts over 80 mph have likely occurred. If these storms make it to Alabama this evening, we can expect widespread trees down and power outages, so don’t drive around if they get here.
The storms in west Alabama are severe also, producing some reports of wind damage. I am about to head to Bluff Creek on Warrior River, one of the best places to watch a storm in Alabama (1.5 mile view over water to the west). Be safe everyone!
