As you can see above, the Storm Prediction Center has us under a “slight risk” for severe storms today. 

So far, severe storms (even producing tornadoes) have weakened as they moved out of northern Mississippi and northern Alabama into Middle Tennessee.  One storm produced a tornado in Tupelo, MS that did extensive damage.  Read about that at the end of this entry.

The reason the storms have weakened so far as they have moved our way is the fact that the air is not quite as unstable as it is in MS, AL.  However, it is just unstable enough to produce severe weather.  That may increase as the day wears on.  

As of 11am we have some scattered storms moving northward across Middle Tennessee ahead of a line that is crossing the Tennessee River.  We will have to watch those storms.  But the real question is, after that line goes through, will we see more development as temperatures warm and we get some peaks of sunshine to destablize the atmosphere?   The Storm Prediction Center is not very commital on that if you read their latest Mesoscale Discussion. 

Low pressure will still be moving across Middle Tennessee this afternoon and early evening. Because of that, I think that we need to watch the afternoon situation for possible additional develpment, between 1pm and 7pm.   If that develops, it could hold a better chance for severe weather than this morning.

Tupelo, MS info from the Associated Press:

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) - An apparent tornado in Tupelo, Mississippi has damaged a shopping mall and downed power lines.  There aren’t any reported injuries from the storm. Authorities are getting reports about fallen trees and debris across the area, and officials are being dispatched to check out the damage. The Lee County sheriff’s office says officers spotted a possible tornado moving in and out of the clouds. Weather officials will have to confirm that the storm was a twister. A number of northeast Mississippi counties and portions of northwest Alabama are under a tornado watch until midafternoon. Possible tornadoes also struck Oklahoma yesterday.

 

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