Analysis 525 pm

No one ever said meteorology is easy.  A squall line that was pushing rapidly SE 2 hours ago had a low pressure area develop along it, allowing the northern part of the line to move on ahead, but the southern part to slow down.  Pressures are falling very rapidly now in central Alabama, indicating that low pressure area is headed our way. 

The low causes winds at the surface to back around to the SE, increasing helicity for storm rotation.  Interestingly, the air got so warm today (low 80s) that we mixed a little dry air down from aloft, and dewpoints have dropped slightly since 3 pm, to near 60.  However, with the sun going down, moisture from the ground, and south winds, dewpoints will rise again, into the lower 60s by 7 pm.  With the low pressure area and still unstable air, any storms in the squall line may produce tornadoes.  This is still a dangerous storm situation, and I think the worst of it may be coming in the next 3 hours.

Category: Alabama's Weather