Avian Flu Diary: NOAA SPC: High Risk Of Severe Storms/Tornadoes Across the South

#18,374

Overnight at least 25 tornadoes were reported across the Midwest, along with hundreds of reports of high winds and hail (see chart below), as was predicted 3 days ago by NOAA (see NOAA SPC: Multi-day Episode Of Severe Weather Expected Fri/Sat).

While much of the damage won't be revealed until after sunrise today, already there are media reports of multiple storm-related fatalities. While yesterday's forecast was for a moderate risk of severe weather, today that ramps up to a HIGH risk in parts of the deep south.

PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0322 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2025
...Outbreak of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms expected over parts of the Deep South and Tennessee Valley today into tonight...
* LOCATIONS...
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
Western Georgia
Southern Tennessee
The Florida Panhandle
Southern Arkansas
* HAZARDS...
Numerous tornadoes, several intense and long track
Scattered damaging winds, some hurricane force
Scattered large hail, some baseball size

* SUMMARY...
A tornado outbreak is expected across the central Gulf Coast States and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley. Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected this afternoon and evening.
The most dangerous tornado threat should begin across eastern Louisiana and Mississippi during the late morning to afternoon, spread across Alabama late day into the evening, and reach western parts of the Florida Panhandle and Georgia Saturday night.

Preparedness actions...
Review your severe weather safety procedures for the possibility of dangerous weather today. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, weather.gov, or other media for watches and warnings. A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form during the next several hours. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, move to a place of safety, ideally in a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

& ..Thompson.. 03/15/2025

Most years roughly half of all U.S. tornadoes occur during March-April-May, as winter gives way to spring and summer. During the summer, the focus for severe weather moves away from the south (Dixie Alley), and into the mid west (aka `Tornado Alley').

For most Americans, a severe weather event is their biggest regional disaster threat; hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, blizzards, Derechos, and ice storms affect millions of people every year. Having a good (and well rehearsed) family emergency plan is essential for any disaster.

It is important for your plan to include emergency meeting places, out-of-state contacts, and individual wallet information cards - before you need it (see #NatlPrep : Create A Family Communications Plan).

Together with adequate emergency supplies, a solid first aid kit, and an emergency battery operated NWS Weather Radio, these steps will go a long ways to protecting you, and your family, from a wide variety of potential disasters.