Discrete Severe Supercells Possible Over the North and Northwestern Parts of North Alabama

The latest Mesoscale Discussion from the SPC is out, and it states that there is the potential for a few supercellular thunderstorms to form and grow severe over the extreme northern and northern parts of North Alabama. It appears that the storms are beginning to wear down the cap. If any of those are able to break through, they will quickly become severe. Here is the text from the latest discussion:

SUMMARY… Development of a few discrete supercells capable of producing tornadoes and damaging wind gusts possible from northern MS into far northern AL and southern middle TN.

DISCUSSION… Recent observations suggest the outflow boundary moving through western TN has become less defined near the TN/MS border, suggesting that much of the warm sector across northern MS and adjacent northern AL/southern middle TN will likely stay free from the influence of this boundary. Additionally, the amount and intensity of the warm sector cells has continued to increase, with several cells producing lightning over the past hour. This development is occurring within an environment characterized by warm and moist low-levels and strong vertical shear. Recent GWX VAD also sampled 300 m2/s2 of 0-1 km storm-relative helicity. The expectation is for the storms currently in northern MS to organize/intensify further as they continue northeastward into a more sheared downstream environment.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather