Wednesday Discussion Update/Severe Weather Threat

Good Afternoon! As expected the clouds have increased and we are now looking at overcast skies. Moisture is lifting into the state in response to a very aggressive area of low pressure quickly getting its act together back over the Plains States, near the Oklahoma Panhandle. A warm front in advance of this developing system is now lifting through Louisiana and this boundary will move through our area by sunrise tomorrow. As the moisture lifts into Alabama, look for showers to become likely along with some thunderstorms late tonight. Some of the storms could grow strong, with gusty straight-line winds and large hail. The dewpoints will really climb behind this warm front. Right now dewpoints are in the 30s locally, but these values are in the 60s near Vicksburg, Mississippi. As this moist air moves over Alabama, this will serve as prime fuel for thunderstorms tomorrow. Temperatures will also make a recovery into the upper 70s and will even further destabilize this atmosphere, especially if we have some morning sunshine.

A strong core of winds rotating over the state will help initiate some severe thunderstorms tomorrow starting around noon. These cells could produce damaging straight-line winds, large hail, and even that possibility of tornadoes. Our area has been placed under a moderate risk for severe weather tomorrow and that threat may be upgraded to a high risk. I urge you to stay tuned as we monitor this developing weather situation. If any of the storms tomorrow look suspicious we will immediately break into programming to keep you ahead of the bad weather. Tomorrow night a cold front will shift across the area and there is a chance that this could bring more strong to severe thunderstorms. So look for the threat to continue into the early evening hour’s tomorrow night. Big improvements will take place on Friday, with sunshine making a return. A colder air mass will gradually work into the state this weekend. Highs will be in the 50s, with lows at or just below freezing. Be sure to join us tonight for more details and have a plan in place for tomorrow, just in case warnings are issued.

Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist WVUA-TV