By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Thursday 1:30 pm, February 3, 2022
A Tornado Watch is in effect for portions of western and southern Alabama until 6 pm. This Watch may be expanded eastward later this afternoon.
A cluster of thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front will move through the state for the remainder of the afternoon into tonight. A timing graphic is shown below. These storms are capable of producing damaging wind gusts as well as a few tornadoes. As of 115 pm, a couple of tornado warnings had already been issued by the NWS.
Make sure you have at least two methods to receive severe weather warnings, NOT including an outdoor warning siren. Enable your Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on your cell phone. Don’t assume your family or friends know when a warning is issued and contact them to let them know. You could become their hero and save a life!
Here are the instructions for turning on WEA on your cell phone:
A Flood Watch remains in effect for the northern 2/3 of Alabama into Friday morning.
If these develop, they will be ahead of a line of storms that will move across the state this afternoon and evening. The main threat within the line will be damaging straight-line wind gusts, and an embedded tornado or two is also possible. Remember, severe weather, including tornadoes, can and do occur in Marginal Risk areas.
Widespread wind gusts of 20-30 mph are likely through this evening outside of thunderstorm activity.
There may be a brief period of light freezing rain or drizzle between 12 am and 6 am Friday in the northwestern sections of the state, with a light glaze of ice possible on elevated surfaces, bridges, and overpasses. Temperatures in this region are forecast to rise above 32 degrees by 11 am Friday.
