Significant Severe Weather Event Unfolding...

Saturday, April 24, 2010

The much advertised severe weather event is starting to unfold this morning. Thankfully, it waited til after sunrise. A very volatile and soupy atmosphere is in place (just step outside). This is soon to be wrung out like a sponge. Yes, it appears the worst of this severe weather event will be further North and East of the forecast area, however, the cap that has been in place is eroding, and storms have initiated over SE Texas. These will intensify and move Eastward this morning, and have a good potential to reach severe limits. All modes of severe weather are possible, although this set up favors a tornado outbreak over hail or wind damage. As a result of the expected tornado threat, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch until 1p.m. (18Z Saturday 24 April 2010) for the entire forecast area. Today has the potential to be a very serious and life changing day for someone across the South. See the previous posts for severe weather graphics. A high risk is rarely issued, but that is indeed what we have on this Saturday from NE LA including Monroe and across much of MS and Central and Northern AL. This includes cities such as Natchez, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo, Tuscaloosa, & Birmingham. While SW Louisiana is not in the high risk area, much of the forecast area is in the Moderate Risk area. A graphical representation of the Tornado Watch follows, and any warnings that are issued will be posted here as they come in. Everything is still on track to be out of the area by the expiration time of the tornado watch. Stay tuned!

-DM-