ALL CLEAR FOR SOUTH ALABAMA & N.W. FLORIDA… Our area dodged a bullet! March 25, 2021 is a day that will live in Alabama history due to a tornado outbreak with multiple, long track, violent tornadoes. Extensive damage has happened across the central part of the state in many counties. At least 5 people are confirmed to have lost their lives today in an intense tornado near Ohatchee. Numerous injuries have happened. While a tornado watch does continue until 1AM for several counties just north of our local area, the tornado watch for all local counties has expired and will not be reissued tonight. The severe weather threat is NOT over for central and north Alabama, but severe weather parameters do seem to be decreasing in those areas. Despite parameters that could support a few general storms overnight, our local National Weather Service office has given an “all clear” for southwest Alabama and northwest Florida. We agree with that assessment.
WHAT TO EXPECT LOCALLY – OVERNIGHT INTO FRIDAY… Scattered showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms will be possible overnight across south Alabama and northwest Florida. Do not be surprised to hear downpours overnight and maybe a few claps of thunder. Scattered storms will continue on Friday in parts of northwest Florida and south-central Alabama. The overall threat of severe weather tomorrow will be very low, if not zero in most spots locally.
TORNADO WATCH FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA… There is concern that a few more strong to severe storms may happen before the night is over across parts of central Alabama that could potentially produce a tornado or two. The threat of long track, violent tornadoes is probably over at this point, but if ANY tornado (big or small) affects you, it’s a big deal. That is why a new tornado watch is now in effect until 1AM for areas near Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Linden, Selma, Hayneville, Montgomery, Tuskegee, Auburn, Alexander City, Lake Martin, Valley, Roanoke, Prattville, Clanton, Marion, Greensboro, Brent, Centreville, Hoover, Calera, Sylacauga, Rockford, Anniston, and surrounding areas. I imagine some of the counties involved in the new tornado watch will be cleared before the 1AM expiration time as better storm dynamics continue to lift northeast and out of the state.
EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN CENTRAL ALABAMA… Multiple long track, violent tornadoes happened today across central Alabama. The first large tornado started in Greene County and moved across northern Bibb County into Shelby County. The storm really ramped up as it approached the highly populated areas in Pelham, Chelsea, Lake Purdy, and surrounding areas. The same supercell thunderstorm produced a violent tornado at Ohatchee that killed at least 5 people. That same storm traveled into Georgia where a tornado warning was in effect for Rome, GA at one point. Another long track tornado started in Sumter and Hale counties. Extensive damage happened at Sawyerville and in areas near and just north of Greensboro. The large tornado intensified and moved into areas near Brent and Centreville in Bibb County, where extensive damage happened. Areas near Columbiana and Wilsonville were also hit hard by the same tornado before it dissipated before moving into east Alabama.
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My next forecast video will be posted by 7:15AM tomorrow (Friday) morning. See you then!
