Storms Weakening

Storms over western Mississippi are weakening tonight as instability levels decrease with the loss of the day’s heating.

One storm has produced significant damage at Cleveland MS tonight, including damage to a WalMart store. It was caused by a tornado. Trained spotters did observe the tornado at Cleveland and at Benoit.

Severe thunderstorm warnings continue for areas in the Delta south of Greenville and Greenwood at this hour.

A tornado watch does remain in effect for western Mississippi into extreme northeastern Louisiana and southeastern Arkansas. The watch is not expected to be extended eastward.

The threat of severe weather in Alabama has now decreased substantially. Storms over northeastern Mississippi will push into northwestern Alabama over the next couple of hours, but they are not strong.

Storms over western Mississippi up into western Tennessee are gaining a little intensity late this evening. They are under an area of stronger upper level winds and just ahead of a low pressure system over southern Arkansas. These storms should also weaken, but will bring lots of heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds to Northwest Alabama, generally north and northeast of Marion County during the hours after midnight.

The front will continue southeastward from its current location near the Mississippi River. It will be into Northwest Alabama by sunrise and south of I-59 by nightfall tomorrow. The atmosphere should be able to charge enough during the morning from Gadsden and Anniston back to Birmingham and Tuscaloosa and points south tomorrow for more storms. Some of them could be strong with some damaging winds and hail. Tornadoes should not be a problem.

Expect some lingering showers Tuesday, but high pressure and drier air will build in by Wednesday and will give us fine fall weather for several days.

Category: Alabama's Weather, Severe Weather