Strong wind gusts (40-50 mph) possible shortly near Fruitdale, Vinegar Bend, Escatawpa, Deer Park, Tibbie, Topton, and Sims Chapel in Washington County, AL.
Stronger storms near and just north of Leakesville, MS is moving in from the west. pic.twitter.com/Uw4XaaItO1
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) March 8, 2024
SEVERE WEATHER RISK CONTINUES… The overall risk of scattered severe thunderstorms continues across the local area this evening. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 9PM for all parts of Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, and Clarke counties in southwest Alabama along with numerous counties in southeast Mississippi and eastern Louisiana. Strong to severe thunderstorms moving east across parts of southeast Mississippi at this hour. A few thunderstorms have also developed across northwest Florida but those storms remain under severe limits as of 5:05PM.
STRONG STORMS MOVING INTO MILLRY & CHATOM… The strongest thunderstorms about to move into parts of our local area are happening near the Alabama-Mississippi state line, coming into places like Millry, Yarbo, Chatom, Shady Grove, Bigbee, and St. Stephens in Washington County, AL. This batch of storms may produce wind gusts as high as 40-50 mph over the next 20-30 minutes while moving east. These storms will ultimately cross the Tombigbee River into Clarke County near Jackson and Salitpa in 30-45 minutes.
STORMS NEAR PACE & NICEVILLE… Isolated thunderstorms have developed in parts of Escambia (FL), Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in northwest Florida. One storm near Five Points, Pace, Milton, Floridatown, Avalon Beach, and Mulat is producing heavy downpours of rain and occasional lightning. Storms producing quite a bit of lightning are happening near Niceville, Duke Field, and Mossy Head as well. The good news is the storms currently in northwest Florida are under severe limits.
RAIN & STORMS NEAR ATMORE, MONROEVILLE, THOMASVILLE… Intermittent rain and thunderstorms are also happening near Atmore, Poarch, Booneville, Huxford, Uriah, Monroeville, Beatrice, Perdue Hill, Grove Hill, Fulton, and Thomasville. All of these storms are well under severe limits as of 5:05PM.
WHAT TO EXPECT – NEXT FEW HOURS… Rain and thunderstorms will continue to increase in coverage across the region over the next several hours. Some of the storms may become severe and produce damaging wind gusts and tornadoes. The overall tornado risk will probably maximize across inland counties through 9PM. A new Tornado Watch will probably be considered overnight into Saturday morning for counties farther east (the counties NOT currently involved in the Tornado Watch). This severe event won’t be over until Saturday morning, probably after sunrise. We will be in studio throughout the night. If/when we have tornado warnings, we will immediately start our live video coverage to bring you the latest information.
Stronger storms capable of producing 40-50 mph wind gusts will move into parts of Washington, southern Choctaw, and ultimately Clarke counties in SW AL over the next hour.
These are APPROXIMATE arrival times for the stronger batch of storms. pic.twitter.com/1CbEd8mm1W
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) March 8, 2024
Tornado risk may maximize this evening around 8PM before the better overlap of "severe weather ingredients" begins gradually fading.
No tornado warnings locally just yet but watching radar trends very carefully. Be ready for warnings! pic.twitter.com/lYols4eim6
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) March 8, 2024
📡 440pm Radar Update: The potential for heavy rain and an increased flood threat continues for interior southeast Mississippi and interior southwest Alabama.
We are also closely monitoring for any strong to severe storms. Stay weather aware this evening! pic.twitter.com/l7kF5I5uEB
— NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) March 8, 2024
