Tornado Watch Issued for Central Alabama

Strategic Insights -

A tornado watch has been issued for portions of central Alabama by the NWS Storm Prediction Center, effective from 435 PM CDT Thursday, September 12, 2024, until 1000 PM CDT. A convective band with embedded quasi-discrete updrafts is expected to feature several supercells posing a tornado risk before instability wanes late in the evening. Residents in the affected areas are advised to be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for central Alabama, effective from 435 PM CDT Thursday, September 12, 2024, until 1000 PM CDT.
  • A convective band within a moist and strongly sheared environment is expected to feature embedded quasi-discrete updrafts, potentially posing a tornado risk.
  • Several supercells are likely to develop, with a few severe thunderstorms capable of producing hail, extreme turbulence, and surface wind gusts to 50 knots.
  • The tornado watch area is approximately along and 55 statute miles north and south of a line from 55 miles northwest of Selma, AL, to 45 miles northeast of Montgomery, AL.
  • The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area, with the actual watch depicted by shaded areas.
  • Residents in the affected areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
  • The probability of 2 or more tornadoes is moderate (40%), and the probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes is low (20%).

Statistics:

  • Effective date and time: Thursday, September 12, 2024, 435 PM CDT
  • Expiration date and time: Thursday, September 12, 2024, 1000 PM CDT
  • Probability of 2 or more tornadoes: 40%
  • Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes: 20%
  • Wind gusts: up to 50 knots
  • Hail surface and aloft: to 0 inches
  • Extreme turbulence: possible
  • Surface wind gusts: up to 50 knots

Sources:

  • NWS Storm Prediction Center: WW 671 Tornado Watch AL 122135Z -- 130300Z
  • US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Note on Watch Graphics and Status Reports