Severe weather rolls through east-central Alabama Monday morning

Severe weather rolls through east-central Alabama Monday morning

Many areas of the state from the far northwest corner south to Sumter County experienced severe weather overnight.

Right now Chilton and Coosa counties are under a tornado warning until 5:45 a.m. Trained storm spotters have reported a tornado moving east into Clanton. Residents are urged to go to their safe place.

The same storm traveling through Clanton right now was first spotted north of Marion in Perry County. It then moved east through Maplesville, where the NWS has confirmed reports of damage.

Clay, Shelby and Talladega counties are still under a tornado warning until 6:15 a.m. Storm spotters reported a possible tornado west of Childersburg moving east at 50 mph.

NOAA issued a tornado watch for much of the FOX6 viewing area until 6 a.m. Monday morning including Jefferson, Blount, Cullman, Jefferson, Walker, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Hale, Marion, Pickens, Greene, Lamar and Winston counties.

The weather team is keeping a very close eye on Marion County as a strong storm travels from western Mississippi towards that area.

We are still bracing for a high impact severe weather event during the overnight.  The primary threat will be widespread severe winds.  If you live west of I-65, you need to be extra watchful.  This area is the focus for a moderate tornado threat.  Storms are racing eastward at about 60mph. 

Unstable air is streaming in ahead of this system.  I'm expecting the most severe storms in Marion, Winston, Fayette, Walker, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa Counties.  These storms will enter our western counties after 11pm.  Atmospheric conditions are still supportive of a few tornadoes stronger than EF3. 

Because this will be an overnight event, we urge everyone to stay weather aware and have their NOAA weather radio ready.  In addition, be ready to act on your severe weather plan.  Fox 6 will be with you through the night on-air and online. 

Let's talk about timing of the main event:

West of I-65 (including Tuscaloosa, Vernon, Aliceville, Jasper, Double Springs, and Hamilton) -11 p.m. until 2 a.m.  These areas will have the highest tornado threat.

I-65 corridor (including Birmingham, Hoover, Cullman, Alabaster, Clanton, and Gardendale) - 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Threat for isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail.

East Alabama (including Pell City, Anniston, Oxford, Talladega, and Gadsden) - 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Threat for isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail.  Storms should weaken as they track east.

A few models are now suggesting a later arrival for the severe weather. I would anticipate most of the severe weather will be overnight. Fox 6 will continue to monitor the weather this afternoon and tonight.

This is a significant weather event. Please be weather aware since the worst of the weather is expected late tonight.

For those of you who have friends in the Tennessee Valley including Florence and Huntsville: Please call them up and remind them to be weather aware. This is the first significant weather event with a moderate risk from the Storm Prediction Center since April 27. It's not an outbreak of that magnitude, but not to be taken lightly.

Here's what I'd recommend:

1) Have NOAA weather radio working

2) Have battery powered AM/FM radio

3) Mobile phone charged

4) Flashlight

5) Severe weather safety plan.  Know a safe place to ride out the bad weather.

6) Helmets for you and your childen (bicycle, motorcycle, football, baseball, etc)

7) Call a friend and remind them of the significant weather for tonight.

You can follow me on Twitter: @jpdice_fox6 or @myfoxal.