Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Severe Weather Likely Later Today and Overnight - A Very Dangerous Situation is Unfolding

March 17, 2021

Bad news overnight, the SPC increased the risk of severe weather to High (in pink) which is the highest level. Thankfully for those of you in Alabama most of this area is off to the west in Mississippi. The storms today will be an extremely hazardous situation for people in this area but don't take the threat lightly if you're in the red, orange, or yellow areas beyond this. You can see the other details below, including the timing which I got from here: https://www.alabamawx.com/?p=224930. Multiple rounds of severe weather are possible with scattered individual severe storms forming earlier out ahead of the main frontal passage which will also bring with it severe weather later. Some of the details will change throughout the day so pay attention to local media for up-to-date information. 

From the 4:51 a.m. SPC Public Severe Weather Outlook (https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/pwo.html, updated throughout the day): 

   ...Outbreak of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms expected over
   parts of the The lower Mississippi Valley into the Southeast later
   today and tonight...

   * LOCATIONS...
     Much of Mississippi
     Eastern and northern Louisiana
     Much of Alabama
     Much of Arkansas
     Southwest Tennessee
     Extreme southern Missouri

   * HAZARDS...
     Numerous tornadoes, several intense and long track
     Scattered damaging winds, some hurricane force
     Scattered large hail, some baseball size

   * SUMMARY...
     A regional outbreak of severe storms is expected today and
     tonight across portions of the lower Mississippi Valley into
     Alabama. Widespread severe storms capable of producing tornadoes
     (several of which may be intense), very large hail and intense
     damaging wind gusts are expected. More than one round of severe
     storms are possible across parts of Mississippi into Alabama
     during the afternoon into the overnight hours.

   Preparedness actions...

   Review your severe weather safety procedures for the possibility
   of dangerous weather today. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio,
   weather.gov, or other media for watches and warnings. A tornado
   watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form
   during the next several hours. If a tornado warning is issued for
   your area, move to a place of safety, ideally in a basement or
   interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.










For Thursday, severe weather is also possible with the main risk to our east but with some lingering storms in southeast AL and the FL Panhandle during the morning hours.









For those of you in the higher risk areas plan now for where you will take shelter. Pay attention to rapidly changing weather conditions and make sure you have multiple ways of receiving alerts, including something that can wake you up.

Stay safe.

Chris


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