#15,884
As we discussed just over a week ago (see It Happens Every Spring (2021 Edition)), as winter progresses into spring, the risk of severe, and damaging weather increases, particularly in the deep south.
Although a PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) has not yet been declared by NOAA, that could still come later today. For now they warn:
A Major Severe Weather Outbreak is Forecast Today and/or Tonight
A tornado outbreak is expected today into early this evening across parts of the Southeast northward into the Tennessee Valley. Several long-track strong tornadoes, destructive winds and very large hail are forecast from the Lower Mississippi Valley, eastward across parts of the Southeast and northward into the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys.
As we get into May and June, the focus of these severe storms oftens moves to the plains of the midwest (aka `Tornado Alley), but for now it is centered primarily in `Dixie Alley'.
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| Tornado Alley - Dixie Alley |
The tornadoes in Dixie Alley tend to be smaller, and shorter lived, that those in Tornado Alley, but can be quite deadly in their own right.. In 2011 - over a period of just three days (Apr 25th-28th) - a storm system of epic proportions generated 351 confirmed tornadoes across five southern states, killing 338 persons in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Although 2021 got off to a slow start (see chart below), March has already recorded more than 100 tornadoes. A number that is likely to increase substantially over the next 24 hours.
If you live, work, or will be traveling through the warned areas today, now would be a good time to review your emergency plans, and to make sure your NOAA weather radio is working and on.
