SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE: TORNADO WATCH FOR WEST ALABAMA… Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move into parts of west Alabama over the next 6-8 hours. A Tornado Watch is now in effect for Clarke, Washington, Marengo, and Washington counties in west Alabama, in addition to many counties in north and central Alabama. This Tornado Watch is valid until 11PM. We note Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Decatur, Clanton, Cullman, Demopolis, Livingston, and Muscle Shoals are also involved in the Tornado Watch. MORE counties locally will likely go under a tornado watch in the hours ahead.
TORNADOES TO OUR WEST… There have been several confirmed, damaging tornadoes this afternoon to our west across parts of Mississippi and Louisiana. Extensive damage was caused by a long-track tornado near Alexandria, Louisiana. At the time this video is being produced (4:45PM), tornado warnings are in effect for areas near Florence, Russellville, and Muscle Shoals in north Alabama. Several tornado warnings are also in effect for parts of southern Mississippi.
HAVE A WAY TO GET WARNINGS OVERNIGHT… We continue to observe new model data suggesting our forecast remains right on track: 9PM tonight to 9AM Tuesday is when severe weather will be MOST likely to happen across south Alabama and northwest Florida. Please have a way to receive urgent weather warnings overnight! You’ll need something that can wake you up if your location goes under a tornado warning.
MAIN HAZARDS TONIGHT: TORNADOES & DAMAGING WINDS… The tornado risk locally tonight into Tuesday early morning will be highest across parts of Monroe, Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, and Marengo counties where a “greater combination of atmospheric ingredients” looks to set up. If you’re in these counties, be aware that your tornado potential looks a bit higher. We ALL, however, have at least some risk of tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. There also could be some large hail involved in the stronger storms. Flash flooding could briefly become an issue as the main line of storms passes through our region. ALL modes of severe weather will be possible with this event!
APP… Many, MANY updates will be posted throughout the night in the RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Be sure to visit the Alerts tab (bottom right corner) and tap the large, yellow “Alert Settings” button to customize the alerts you’d like to receive from me. If you like a lot of info, be sure to toggle ON Low-Level Alerts.
I will have plenty more updates in the RedZone Weather app over the next few hours.
