Heavy Rain Situation Setting Up

A heavy rain situation is developing over Central Alabama this evening. Moisture is flowing efficiently northward out of the Gulf of Mexico up and over the warm front that lies over the south central part of the state.

Look at the fire hose of moisture coming northward out of the Gulf near Pensacola. Big thunderstorms are associated with this activity, including one with overshooting cloud tops that is producing a confimed tornado southwest of Pensacola.

Several upper level disturbances moving northeastward in the mid-level flow are helping focus the waves of showers.

NWS Birmingham has issued as areal flood advisory for Greene and Sumter Counties in West Alabama. Doppler radar estimates indicate that a large area of rainfall amounts 1.5-4 inches has fallen over West Alabama. The highest estimates extend just south of I-59 from Livingston to Eutaw. 2 to 4 inches of rain has fallen in this area.

Be alert to the potential for flooding in areas where heavy rain is falling. Flash flood warnings could be required in areas that receive more than 3 inches of rain in 3 hours, which is possible.

At 8:15, the heaviest rain extends from Greene and Sumter Counties southeastward through Selma, south of Montgomery and to near Union Springs in Bullock County.

Category: Alabama's Weather, Severe Weather