By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Thursday 7:00 am, May 9, 2024
The line of storms in northern Alabama slowed to a crawl overnight, but is starting to move southward again this morning. In addition, as of 6 am scattered thunderstorms are developing south of I-20 and north of Hwy 80/I-85. Both of these features pose a severe threat, as the atmosphere is very unstable. Damaging wind gusts (some over 70 mph), large hail, very heavy rainfall and a few tornadoes will be possible.
A Tornado Watch is in effect near and north of I-20 until 10 am, and additional watches are certainly possible later today into Friday.
A break in storm activity is expected this afternoon into early evening before another wave of thunderstorms moves from west to east across the state after 10 pm. The highest threat of severe weather will be generally south of I-20 where once again damaging wind gusts (a few over 70 mph), hail, very heavy rainfall and a few tornadoes will be possible. North of I-20, only isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected with hail being the main threat.
Make sure you have at least two methods to receive both severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings today into Friday, one of which is NOT an outdoor siren.
We were hit by tornado approximately 3:45 AM on 5/10/24, in Foley, AL. No weather alert was sent out.