03/17/2021
We are watching the weather and may end up closing early today, probably between 2-4. If you have a sick pet, make plans to come in early this morning. Any surgery patients will be sent home after 1-2 today. Call if you have any questions. Thanks, be safe!
VOLATILE SITUATION: We have a dangerous severe weather setup for Alabama later today, tonight, and early tomorrow morning. A deep, negative tilt upper trough with strong wind fields west of the state will provide dynamic support for widespread severe thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight.
We note there is a "wedge front" over Northeast Alabama this morning; north and east of that front the air is cool and relatively stable, but warm, moist, unstable air will surge northward late today and tonight replacing that cooler air.
SPC has a issued a "high risk" (level 5/5) for far West Alabama, most of the rest of the state is in a "moderate risk" (level 4/5). Please don't get too hung up in risk categories or map colors... just understand the entire state has a significant risk of severe storms.
TIMING: We have showers and thunderstorms in progress this morning in scattered pockets across the state, and those will be strong with potential for small hail and gusty winds. But, the core severe weather opens up around 1:00 this afternoon statewide, and will continue through the late night and pre-dawn hours. Storms will end from west to east after midnight tonight... a few storms could linger across Southeast Alabama until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.
THREATS: Widespread severe storms capable of producing tornadoes (several of which may be intense), very large hail and intense damaging wind gusts are expected. A few violent, long track tornadoes are possible.
RAIN: Additional rain amounts of 1-2 inches are likely, and some isolated flooding issues are possible.
GET READY NOW: Here are some important points about preparedness…
*Have at least two ways of hearing warnings. Every Alabama home and business needs a NOAA Weather Radio; the model most used is the Midland WR-120, available at most local “big box” retailers. Weather radio receivers do not rely on cellular networks and are very reliable. The second way is your phone; be sure WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) are enabled, and have a reliable app like the ABC 33/40 Weather app, which also pushes warnings. NEVER rely on an outdoor siren. NEVER.
*Know your safe place. In a site built home, it is a small room, on the lowest floor, near the center of the house, away from windows. And, in that safe place, have helmets for everyone (this means adults too!). We also recommend a portable airhorn for everyone (to alert first responders if you need help), and hard soled shoes in case you have to walk over a tornado debris field.
*You can’t stay in a mobile home during a tornado warning. Know where you are going, and how to get there quickly. If there is no community shelter nearby, go to a business like a gas station, convenience store, or restaurant that is open 24/7.
*Be sure you can find your home on a map. Identify the county you are in, and the ones surrounding you. Map skill is very important on severe weather days!
Please help us by spreading the word about this serious threat. Many folks don’t pay close attention to the weather… tell your relatives, friends, and neighbors and help us get them ready. We don’t share this to scare anyone… we simply have a responsibility to let you know the danger.
For those with a weather phobia, or high anxiety, understand even on a big severe weather day odds of any one home being hit by a tornado are still very low. Just be sure you can hear warnings, have a good plan, and we will get through the day together.