By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Tuesday, 3:00 pm January 3, 2023
This continues to be a prolonged event which will last until mid to late Wednesday morning.
At 2 pm, a line of thunderstorms was located near I-59 and east of I-65. South of I-20 to the coast, discrete cells, and clusters of thunderstorms continue to develop and move northward. Some of these storms are rotating. Many areas have received 1-2 inches of rain so far with a few spots near three inches. The exception as of 2 pm is east of I-65 and south of I-85 where an inch or less has fallen.
A break in severe weather will occur for the remainder of the afternoon north of I-59 until redevelopment of a broken line of storms ahead of a cold front enters northwestern Alabama between 7 pm – 10 pm. South of I-59, clusters of storms will continue well into the evening followed by the line of storms as it moves from west to east across the state.
All modes of severe weather are possible statewide into Wednesday morning, and EF2 or greater tornadoes could occur generally south of I-20. Unfortunately, the atmosphere will remain unstable with severe storms possible throughout the night.
Some spots could receive greater than six inches of total rainfall by late Wednesday morning and Flood Watches are in effect south of I-20.
Make sure you have at least two methods to receive severe weather warnings, which does NOT include an outdoor warning siren. It is highly recommended that unless critical, stay off the roads after dark today and remain in a safe location. This is advised not only because of nighttime tornadoes, but also heavy rainfall producing flooding that you can’t see while driving.
If you haven’t developed a disaster plan or want to review your current one, go to: Severe Weather | Ready.gov