ANOTHER ROUND OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LIKELY ON THURSDAY… Unfortunately, tornadoes and damaging winds will be possible on Thursday. After a long overnight severe weather event with multiple tornadoes and numerous trees down across the Deep South, I know this is not what we want to hear. We have another severe weather event setting up for Thursday, April 18. This will be a multi-day, multi-state, significant severe weather potential that starts over the Great Plains and moves across the Deep South on Thursday. The Storm Prediction Center has already included all of Alabama, northwest Florida, much of Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Tennessee in their Level 2 (out of 5) risk zone. Outlook upgrades will be possible over the next few days, but as we saw earlier this morning, impactful tornadoes/damaging winds can and do happen in Level 2 risk zones.
MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER… We don’t know exactly what types of storms will happen on Thursday just yet. We could have supercell thunderstorms, a QLCS/squall line, or perhaps both. Tornadoes, damaging straight line winds, and hail will be possible. It’s entirely too early to know specifics about timing of rain/storms at this point. We will know more as details come into focus over the next few days.
*NOW* IS THE TIME TO GET PREPARED… It is so critical to have a plan of action to know what you would do and where you would go if a tornado warning is issued for your area. Do you have multiple reliable ways to receive urgent weather warnings? Facebook is not a good way to receive warnings, as the platform will often show you posts from days ago but not necessarily posts that are posted immediately. One way for you to get the warnings in south Alabama and northwest Florida is in our free RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Once you have the app downloaded to your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (bottom right corner of the app) and turn ON all of the alerts you want to receive in the Alert Settings area.
CHECK BACK WITH ME FOR UPDATES… This is an evolving severe weather situation that will require further forecast updates. Be sure to check back with me over the next few days as we continue to get more details based on the latest data. No need to panic or stress, but there is a need to be aware of the situation and have a “severe weather action plan.” Please help me spread the word about this event as there are signs that it could be potentially even more significant than our last batch of storms. If you have a friend that may not be as “weather aware” as you are, share this info with him or her!
My next forecast video will be posted by 7:15AM on Monday. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Have a great evening!