Evening Update
* I sure hated to see Alabama go down tonight. It was a great effort by both teams, despite a terrible officiating job (towards both teams)...
* On to weather...Evidence is growing that we will be dealing with a round of severe thunderstorms Monday. There is still some question about how much unstable air will make it this far north, but the latest computer model guidance suggests we should be able to get our dewpoints into the lower 60's. Couple that with favorable upper level wind profiles, and we could be dealing with some rough weather Monday.
* The SPC has outlined our area under a "Slight" risk for severe weather Monday:
SPC Day 3 Outlook* The NAM suggests that instability values will likely get up above 1000 J/kg. If you take that model at face value, that would support the threat of severe weather. However, we should note that the NAM has been overestimating instability quite a bit lately. So, for now, we'll stick with the potential for severe weather with the main limiting factor being a lack of really moisture-rich and unstable air. If the NAM is correct, we will have to be more concerned about this potential. Be sure to watch this space over the weekend for updates!
March Madness Update
* Taking a break from weather: Here's an update on how some of us are doing through 23 games in our unofficial office bracket contest:
Lindsey Hall: 17-6
Matt Willis: 17-6
Renny Vandewege: 17-6
Stan Torgerson: 16-7
Chris Brennaman: 16-7
Josh Johnson: 16-7
Joe Kuner: 15-8
Still a LONG way to go!
* Back to the world of weather: Things are still on track for a few periods of heavy rain over the weekend. While the latest computer model guidance has backed off a bit on rainfall amounts around here, I still get the idea that heavy rain will fall at times and flooding could be an issue in some localized spots around here by Monday afternoon. We'll also have to watch for severe thunderstorms on Monday - the wind shear profiles are fairly impressive, but the low level moisture and instability seem to be a bit limited with this...Still, it's something we'll watch closely and will update this space over the weekend.
* Be sure to scroll down for more info on Flood Awareness Week, which kicks off Monday.
Flood Awareness Week
* With some potential for heavy rains this weekend, I thought I'd pass along this note I received from the National Weather Service in Jackson:
NOAA'S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL HOST THE SECOND ANNUAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK FROM MARCH 20 TO MARCH 24 TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF FLOODING. FLOODS KILL MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES EACH YEAR. TO EMPHASIZE THE DANGERS OF FLOODING, RETIRED BRIGADIER GENERAL DAVID L. JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF
NOAA'S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATED...
"NO STATE OR TERRITORY IS IMMUNE FROM THE DANGERS OF FLOODING BUT, KNOWING HOW TO REACT WHEN FLOODS THREATEN CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH."
PART OF NOAA'S CONTINUING MISSION IS TO SERVE INCREASING NEEDS FOR WEATHER AND WATER INFORMATION. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT JACKSON MS STRIVES TO IMPROVE FLOOD FORECASTS AND WARNINGS FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS, NORTHEAST LOUISIANA, AND MUCH OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED DURING THE WEEK INCLUDE...
MONDAY MARCH 20 - ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE.
THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE (AHPS) IS AN ONGOING EFFORT OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TO MODERNIZE HYDROLOGIC SERVICES FOR EVENTS RANGING FROM FLOODS TO DROUGHTS. AHPS EXTENDS THE RANGE AND QUANTIFIES THE CERTAINTY OF RIVER FORECASTS. IT ALSO PROVIDES TIMELY, USER FRIENDLY GRAPHICAL PRODUCTS AND TEXT PRODUCTS ON THE INTERNET. FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS, NORTHEAST LOUISIANA, AND
MUCH OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. , RIVER STAGE FORECASTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE WITH HISTORICAL SITE DATA. TO ACCESS THESE RIVER FORECASTS AND OTHER HYDROLOGIC INFORMATION GO TO: (USE LOWER CASE)
HTTP://WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/JAN CLICK ON...RIVERS & LAKES AHPS
TUESDAY MARCH 21 - "TURN AROUND...DON'T DROWN".
PEOPLE OFTEN UNDERESTIMATE THE FORCE OF WATER. MORE THAN HALF OF ALL FLOOD-RELATED DEATHS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO VEHICLES THAT ARE SWEPT DOWNSTREAM. MOST VEHICLES LOSE CONTACT WITH THE ROAD IN SIX INCHES OF WATER AND CAN BE SWEPT AWAY IN 18 TO 24 INCHES OF WATER. MANY FLOOD-RELATED DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE. SIMPLY DO NOT DRIVE OR WALK INTO FLOODED AREAS. REMEMBER, WHEN APPROACHING A FLOODED ROADWAY,
TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22 - TROPICAL CYCLONE INLAND FLOODING.
WIDESPREAD FLOODING CAN RESULT FROM HURRICANES, TROPICAL STORMS, AND THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORMS. TROPICAL CYCLONES CAN CAUSE FLASH FLOODING IN CREEKS, STREAMS, AND URBAN AREAS WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OR HOURS OF EXCESSIVE RAINFALL. STREETS CAN BECOME SWIFT MOVING RIVERS AND UNDERPASSES CAN BECOME DEATH TRAPS. MODERATE TO MAJOR RIVER
FLOODING CAN OCCUR WITH HEAVY RAINFALL FROM SLOW MOVING INLAND TROPICAL CYCLONES.
THURSDAY MARCH 23 - DETERMINING FLOOD RISK AND FLOOD INSURANCE.
FLOOD LOSSES ARE NOT TYPICALLY COVERED IN HOMEOWNER INSURANCE POLICIES. HOWEVER, FLOOD INSURANCE IS AVAILABLE TO PROPERTY OWNERS IN COMMUNITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM. FEMA FLOOD HAZARD MAPS ENABLE CONSUMERS TO DETERMINE THEIR RISK AND CHOOSE THE
APPROPRIATE FLOOD INSURANCE.
FRIDAY MARCH 24 - FLOOD SAFETY.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, ALONG WITH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS, INFORMS COMMUNITIES ON HOW TO BECOME AWARE OF FLOOD RISKS AND HOW TO REACT PROPERLY WHEN A FLOOD THREATENS. KNOWING WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER A FLOOD CAN SAVE LIVES AND REDUCE PROPERTY DAMAGE. FLOOD WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE BROADCAST
OVER NOAA WEATHER RADIO.
DETAILED INFORMATION ON ALL OF THE ABOVE FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK TOPICS CAN BE FOUND AT: (USE LOWER CASE LETTERS)
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/FLOODSAFETY/THIS AND OTHER NATIONAL PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE
ONLINE AT: (USE LOWER CASE LETTERS)
HTTP://WWW.NWS.NOAA.GOV/OM/NOTIF.HTM
Creative Writing Contest
* Our friends at the NWS in Jackson are teaming up with Radio Shack in Clinton, MS to sponsor a creative writing contest. The topics are provided and deal with severe weather safety, and the contest is open to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Your entry should be 1-2 pages, and creativity and originality are the main factors that will be judged. If you know anyone who would like to participate, send them this link:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/swaw/SWA_2006_Rules_and_Poster_3.pdf* March Madness Update: I sure hated to see the South Alabama Jaguars go down in defeat. They played the heavily favored Florida Gators a close game in the first half. I actually spent a semester at USA after graduating from Miss. State - a very fun time! But, I was quite pleased to see Alabama pull the win out against Marquette. What a shooting performance by Jean Felix! The SEC is now 3-0 in the tournament, with LSU and Arkansas still to play their first round games.
March Madness!
* Before we delve into the ongoing weather, let's talk some March Madness. This is definitely one of my favorite sporting events of the entire year. The excitement, the passion, the office brackets - I sure wish college football would adopt some sort of playoff tournament. I was alarmed to see that the Cox Arena in San Diego was evacuated earlier because of a bomb threat. This will likely result in a delay of the first game of the day out there (Marquette vs. Alabama).
* Another sign of the changing nature of the broadcast world: The NCAA is offering STREAMING live coverage of the first few rounds of the NCAA Tournament. It's pretty cool, you can actually select which game you'd like to watch. To check it out, just go here:
NCAA Tournament Online* We'll leave the sports talk to Lindsey and Heather and get our hands dirty with this wild and wooly forecast...
* Today: Radar shows a few showers here and there. Certainly not a big deal, barely enough to turn on the windshield wipers. But, if you're out driving, the roads will be wet - so slow it down a notch or two.
* We get a break in the action tomorrow, with cool temperatures and a mix of sun and clouds. Most locales will top out in the middle 60's as we close out the work week.
* The big rain event is still on tap for the weekend, and we're starting to get close enough to try and get specific. with timing...If we are lucky, we may be able to work in a dry half day Saturday...We'll keep our fingers crossed.
At this point, it seems like the two windows of heavy rain will come Saturday evening and again Sunday evening. The warm front will move northward Monday, as an area of low pressure starts to intensify over Oklahoma. This low will track along I-40 - and there is some evidence to support some strong thunderstorms.
The 850 millibar winds (low level jet) get up to 35-45 knots, and there will be a decent 500 millibar closed core low. While this is certainly not a "classic" severe weather setup around here, it does have some components that suggest the possibility of some strong thunderstorms. The big question is how much moisture-rich air can surge back northward. At this point, I don't think it will be enough to really get us a significant severe weather event. It does bear close watching.
* It sure looks like we'll need to ratchet our numbers down a bit for Tuesday and Wednesday. The 12z (morning) run of the GFS indicates the low will track along I-40 and deepen once it moves off the Atlantic coast. This would drag some cold air in behind the system, and we will likely struggle to reach 50 degrees on Tuesday - maybe colder. Stiff north winds will certainly make it
feel even colder. The GFS even hints at the possibility of a few snow flurries as far south as the Tennessee/Mississippi state line! Stranger things have occurred - especially in March...Either way, long range evidence supports cooler than normal temperatures for much of the rest of March.
Coming Attractions...
* Plenty of interesting times ahead in the world of weather forecasting...First, we deal with some spotty showers and thunderstorms tomorrow. With dewpoints currently running in the 20's, it's hard to get excited about much in the way of rain. But, we'll leave the chance of a few showers in the forecast. And, I suppose we can't rule out a rumble of thunder - but that sure seems unlikely at this time.
* The big rain event arrives over the weekend. We may be able to squeeze in a dry day Saturday, but that is probably wishful thinking. Rain will move in by Saturday evening, and we'll have periods of rain lasting through much of Sunday. The rain will linger into Monday, and by the time the rain ends some places will have seen two or three inches of rain. Some locales could see even more. Thankfully, the setup is not favorable for severe weather.
* Long range indications show that the latter half of the month of March could feature some cold weather! Never a dull moment around here...
Interesting Article
* Here is an interesting article about forecasting severe weather and tornadoes:
http://www.livescience.com/forcesofnature/060313_weather_forecasts.html* Mid-Afternoon Thoughts: The first area of concern is the potential for a light freeze/frost tonight. Temperatures will fall quickly tonight under clear skies and calm winds. We will see temperatures near freezing for an hour or two early tomorrow morning, and some frost seems like a good bet in some areas. If you have tender vegetation, bring it indoors or cover it up...
Sure looks like we'll be dealing with a heavy rain setup over the weekend. First, tomorrow looks fine - plenty of sunshine, cool temperatures. A few showers are possible Thursday, but we don't expect a widespread or soaking rain.
By this weekend, an upper low will cut off over the desert Southwest. This will lead to a fast westerly jet stream, bringing a vast supply of moisture in off of the Pacific Ocean. Ripples of energy (called shortwaves) within this jet stream will be enough to kick off rounds of showers and thunderstorms. We don't anticipate any severe weather this weekend, but heavy rainfall and possibly some flooding is certainly a concern.
* The upper trough will swing out next week, and could lead to a severe weather setup at some point next week. We'll watch that closely...
Close to home: This image was taken by Dr. Talmage Graham from ECCC - he described it as a non-rotating base lowering. The picture was taken over Sebastopol, MS. Scroll down for some dramatic pictures of an incredible Missouri supercell!
Our own Renny Vandewege was in Missouri for the big tornado outbreak there Thursday...Here is one of his photos - this is of the long-lived supercell that tracked from near Kansas City, MO all the way to Ohio! This is approaching the storm, note the cirrus coming out of the top of the storm, blocking out the sun.
The storm produced several tornadoes along its path through central Missouri. Here is a picture Renny took of the storm producing a wall cloud.
Wrap Up and Recap
* The weather is still inclement across parts of Marengo County, mainly south of US Hwy 80. Thunderstorms with frequent lightning and torrential downpours will continue to effect parts of Marengo County - roughly along and south of a line from Uniontown to Myrtlewood. Otherwise, things are calming down across our area.
* The only confirmed severe weather in our area was a report of hail - reported by one of our
WTOK.com Weather Watchers. Click the link to participate in the program!
* Hard to believe it's been 13 years since the big "Blizzard of 1993". I was a 10 year old boy at the time, and I'll never forget the awesome force and power of the storm at our home in northeast Alabama. We had a large sliding glass door, and I fell asleep on our hardwood floor that Friday night with my face pointing towards the glass. I was completely mesmerized the entire night! I remember power flashes from transformers blowing as the weight of the wet, heavy snow piled up on the lines.
The sounds of the storm were incredible - almost constant snapping and popping of tree limbs under the weight of the snow. When it was said and done, we'd picked up 23" of snow! We were without power for over a week, but we built an igloo-like bunker in the snow and ice to keep our food cold. That was an event that really captivated me about weather and becoming a meteorologist.
* The NWS in B'ham has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Marengo County:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
MARENGO COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA
THIS INCLUDES THE AREAS OF...LINDEN...CHICKASAW STATE PARK
* UNTIL 930 PM CST
* AT 822 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR JEFFERSON...OR ABOUT 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DEMOPOLIS...AND MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. * OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SWEET WATER...PROVIDENCE...DAYTON AND THOMASTON.
WTOK.com Weather Watcher Report...
* Here's a report from one of our WTOK.com Weather Watchers in northern Lauderdale County..
"Pea Size hail fell around 7:01 pm. Lasted for about 2 minutes. Winds also shifted to the north for a few minutes during that time. Frequent Lightning also!"
* We could use YOUR weather reports in situations like these. To participate, follow the link below:
WTOK.com Weather Watchers* To submit reports of what you see during severe weather, you don't need weather instruments - just your eyes and ears. Just go to that link and type what you saw in the "comment" section!
SVR Hale
* Severe T-Storm Warning...Hale County....until 8:45pm.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... HALE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA * UNTIL 845 PM CST * AT 752 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MOUNDVILLE...OR ABOUT 12 MILES NORTHEAST OF EUTAW...AND MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. * OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WILEY. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER... CALL 1-800-856-0758.
SVR Sumter
* NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Sumter County until 8:15 PM. Livingston will be under the gun with this storm right now. If you live in Livingston, stay indoors and away from windows as these storms have been throwing down some frequent lightning...
* Here's the warning:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... CENTRAL SUMTER COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA THIS INCLUDES THE AREA OF LIVINGSTON * UNTIL 815 PM CST * AT 744 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF BELLAMY...OR ABOUT NEAR YORK...AND MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. * THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL OTHERWISE REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE INDICATED COUNTY. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER... CALL 1-800-856-0758.
7:45 PM Update
* The NWS has allowed the Severe Thunderstorm Warnings to expire. Still, these are strong storms that will contain frequent lightning, gusty winds, and some very heavy rain. If you are out tonight on area roadways, be sure to slow down - hydroplaning is a real and serious threat.
* The storms right now run from roughly Livingston to York to Clarkdale, with another batch of strong thunderstorms in Jasper County and extreme southeastern Newton County. They are moving east.
* Back to watching the radar...
SVR Update
Here's an update from NWS Jackson...
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING CONTINUES UNTIL 745 PM CST FOR
SOUTHERN LAUDERDALE AND SOUTHEASTERN NEWTON COUNTIES...
AT 713 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE
LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CHUNKY TO
MERIDIAN TO JUST WEST OF CUBA...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
I-20 EXIT 160 AT RUSSELL BY 740 PM CST...
TOOMSUBA...AND 9 MILES NORTHWEST OF WHYNOT BY 745 PM CST...
IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY! REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE
ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
SVR Pickens
NWS B'ham has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Pickens County in west central AL...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... PICKENS COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA * UNTIL 745 PM CST * AT 657 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 16 MILES WEST OF REFORM...OR ABOUT 14 MILES SOUTHEAST OF COLUMBUS...AND MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. * OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ETHELSVILLE...PALMETTO AND HARPERS MILL. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER... CALL 1-800-856-0758.
Line Strengthening...
* The line of severe thunderstorms moving through Newton and Lauderdale counties is strengthening a bit. Reflectivity values on radar are increasing - a sure sign that the convection within the line is really getting its act together.
* We'll watch for the possibility of some damaging straight line winds - maybe in excess of 60 mph in spots.
* Timing - Right now the line runs from roughly Obadiah in Lauderdale County to just south of the city of Newton. This will affect Meridian, Meehan, Marion, Hickory, and Lauderdale within the next 15-20 minutes. Farther south and east, it will take longer. Places like Basic City, Clarkdale and Kewanee will likely see the line in roughly 20-30 minutes.
* While wind is the main threat, hail and frequent lightning are also present in these storms...If severe weather threatens your community, stay inside and away from windows.
SVR Lauderdale/Newton/Sumter
* NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lauderdale and Newton County until 7:45 pm.
Here's the warning...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... LAUDERDALE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MERIDIAN SOUTHEASTERN NEWTON COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI * UNTIL 745 PM CST * AT 649 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS ABOUT 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF NEWTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. * THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... 7 MILES SOUTH OF NELLIEBURG BY 715 PM CST... MERIDIAN BY 720 PM CST... 9 MILES SOUTH OF MARION BY 730 PM CST... HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORS DURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES.
* NWS B'ham has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Sumter County in west Alabama:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... CENTRAL SUMTER COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA THIS INCLUDES THE AREA OF YORK * UNTIL 745 PM CST * AT 649 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 24 MILES NORTH OF YORK...OR ABOUT 19 MILES NORTHWEST OF LIVINGSTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. OTHER SEVERE STORMS WILL ENTER WEST SECTIONS OF SUMTER COUNTY BY 710 PM. * OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO GAINESVILLE. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER... CALL 1-800-856-0758.
Severe T-Storm Warning Leake and Scott
* NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Scott and Leake Counties...The warning runs until 6:00pm, and is for southeastern Leake County and northern Scott County....
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... SOUTHEASTERN LEAKE COUNTY IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI NORTHEASTERN SCOTT COUNTY IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI * UNTIL 600 PM CST * AT 502 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR HARPERVILLE...OR ABOUT 12 MILES NORTH OF FOREST...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. * THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... WALNUT GROVE BY 510 PM CST... 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF STANDING PINE BY 515 PM CST... SEBASTOPOL AND MADDEN BY 520 PM CST... HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORS DURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES.
Tornado Watch Issued
* The SPC has gone ahead and pulled the trigger on a tornado watch for our area along and north of US Highway 80. This includes places like Philadelphia, Macon, Scooba, York, Eutaw, and Aliceville.
* The tornado watch runs until 8:00 pm...Right now, there isn't a lot going on in our area. Most of the action has been farther north. A thunderstorm will move east into Attala and Winston counties through the next several hours. This thunderstorm isn't severe right now, but has some frequent lightning and gusty winds.
* Report of a tornado today up in Webster County, just north of Starkville. A meteorology student at Miss. State has been in contact with us, he's currently out chasing that storm - he's waiting near West Point for the storm to move within his visual range. If he sees anything, I'll pass his report on to you in this space.
Severe Weather Threat
* Sure looks like we will be dealing with a few strong or severe thunderstorms later today. The radar shows the storms now beginning to get organized roughly along a line from Oxford to Greenwood to Vicksburg. These storms will push east through the day, and will likely affect our area between 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm. The worst of the weather will likely be along and north of the US Highway 80 corridor..
* The Storm Prediction Center has indicated they will likely issue a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch for northern parts of our area in the next few hours...Main threat will be damaging winds, but we can't rule out a tornado or two. Here's the latest from them:
SPC Mesoscale Discussion
* Will be monitoring things through the day....
