TORNADO OUTBREAK THIS AFTERNOON FOR NORTH ALABAMA & NORTH MISSISSIPPI… Much of the northern half of Alabama is facing another major severe weather outbreak, only 7 days after a tornado outbreak caused at least 25 confirmed tornadoes across the state. Today is a Level 5 (out of 5) HIGH risk day for parts of northwest Alabama. This is the “rarest of the rare” severe weather days, despite now being warranted for two consecutive weeks. The greatest risk of long track, large, violent tornadoes will happen this afternoon into this evening across the northern halves of Alabama and Mississippi. Northeast Mississippi and northwest Alabama have the greatest threat of tornadoes. I would strongly encourage you to reach out to friends that may be involved in the higher risk zones today, especially folks that may not be as “weather aware” as you. Let them know there is a significant potential for dangerous storms. Locally, our tornado risk is lower in south Alabama and northwest Florida, but it is NOT zero. More info is below.
HIGH RISK DAYS ARE RARE… We went 7 years without a Level 5 (out of 5) high risk day across Alabama before last week. The last tornado outbreak that warranted a Level 5 risk day was April 28, 2014. The next high risk day would happen on March 17, 2021, aka just a week ago on Saint Patrick’s Day Wednesday. Now, only 7 days after the last “very rare” Level 5 high risk day, we have another major severe weather risk for parts of northwest Alabama. Last week, the high risk was warranted and it absolutely verified with multiple long track tornadoes and at least 25 confirmed tornadoes. Today very well could match that total, or even surpass it. It cannot be stressed enough: ESPECIALLY if you are in a Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 risk zone, please have multiple ways to get warnings and take action when you get a warning to protect yourself.
LEVEL 5 (OUT OF 5) SIGNIFICANT RISK TO OUR NORTH TODAY… The Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 5 (out of 5) significant severe weather risk today for parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. We just had a Level 5 risk last week for part of the Deep South, but these risks are comparatively QUITE rare. A Level 5 risk means that widespread, intense thunderstorms are expected. Generally, Level 5 risk days are reserved for only when there is very high confidence that a high impact tornado outbreak is expected. That is the expectation today for parts of northwest Alabama, unfortunately. Long track, potentially strong tornadoes will be possible today, especially in the higher Level 5 risk zone. Tornadoes will be possible in the lower risk zones as well. The Level 5 risk includes areas like Decatur, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Jasper, Double Springs, Hamilton, Vernon, Fayette, Aliceville, Gordo, Reform, Athens, Ardmore, Moulton, and surrounding areas in northwest Alabama. Tupelo, Starkville, and Columbus are included in this high risk zone in Mississippi.
LEVEL 3 & LEVEL 4 RISK ZONES… Much of central and north Alabama remains involved in the significant Levels 3 and 4 risk zones this morning. Numerous to widespread severe storms will be possible in these areas, including tornadoes that could be strong and/or long-tracked. These zones include areas near Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Anniston, Talladega, Rockford, Clanton, Selma, Livingston, Demopolis, Linden, Camden, Butler, Oneonta, Centreville, Leeds, Fort Payne, Huntsville, and surrounding areas. We note that parts of Clarke and Washington counties are involved in the Level 3 risk zone locally, including areas near Thomasville, Coffeeville, Millry, and surrounding areas.
LOCALLY, STRONG STORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING… Much of southwest Alabama and some of northwest Florida remains involved in the Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk. This means that scattered instances of severe storms will be possible, including a tornado or two. Most of us across our local area will simply have rain at times with occasional thunder, but there could be a few stronger storms later today capable of producing tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, hail, and flash flooding.
TORNADO WARNING POLICY… Any time there is an active tornado warning in effect for southwest Alabama or northwest Florida, we provide uninterrupted, live video coverage on Facebook Live and in the RedZone Weather app. Our detailed coverage commitment is outlined at redzoneweather.com/coverage. We are proud to cover all parts of Escambia (AL), Covington, Monroe, Conecuh, Baldwin, Mobile, Clarke, Washington, Butler, Escambia (FL), Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. If you live in any locale in those counties, be sure to tune into our coverage whenever there is an active tornado warning!
SET UP APP ALERTS… We send quite a bit of Low-Level Alerts in our RedZone Weather app. The app is totally free for you! redzoneweather.com/app is the link where you see the download links to your respective app store for iOS and for Android devices. Once you have the app downloaded to your smartphone or tablet device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.
My next video will be posted by 7:15AM this morning. I will have updates posted throughout the day in the RedZone Weather app. We will go into uninterrupted live video coverage if tornado warnings become required for any part of our local area. Have a nice Thursday!