What’s Headed Our Way

The outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that have led to a Tornado Watch until 8:00 tonight in West Alabama have been deadly to our west and northwest. 17 people have died (11 in Missouri) and dozens are reported injured from severe thunderstorms and EF-2 and higher tornados.

Dozens of severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings have been issued today. Currently (2:30pm) there are four tornado warnings and six severe thunderstorm warnings indicated by weather radar in Mississippi. Some warnings that began as thunderstorms have elevated to tornado alerts.

The severe weather has entered northwest Alabama and will continue to spread across west and central Alabama throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Like some of the tornado warnings to our west, some of the tornadoes are expected to be violent, long-track, with winds gusting to 70mph and greater and large hail.

National Weather Service forecasters and Emergency Management officials have been pleading for the public to take this HIGH-RISK threat serious and take proper precautions.

One tornado in Mississippi triggered a "Tornado Emergency". the most urgent type of tornado warning there is. Debris from that twister was launched as high as five miles in the air. National Weather Service meteorologist across the south say that may not be the last one.

This mega severe weather outbreak is expected to continue until well after nightfall - the most deadly and dangerous time. Forecasters fear some of the tornadoes will reach EF-4 and EF-5 status.

The Storm Prediction Center has listed this tornado threat as a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Watch. The National Weather Service uses a PDS to convey special urgency in watch or warning messages for unusually extreme and life-threatening severe weather situations.

In Alabama, Gov. Ivey has issued a State of Emergency and activated the Alabama Emergency Operations Center and State divisional operations centers. County EMAs in the watch area have also activated their emergency operations.

Have a way to receive severe weather warnings and be prepared to take quick action this afternoon and evening should a warning be issued for your area..