Birmingham, AL – Millions of residents across Alabama, Mississippi and southern Tennessee are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch Monday afternoon as forecasters warn of damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes through the evening.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 374 remains in effect until 7 p.m. CDT Monday, June 22, for dozens of counties across the three-state region.
The watch covers major population centers including Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Cullman and Decatur in Alabama; Jackson, Tupelo, Meridian, Starkville and Columbus in Mississippi; and Lawrenceburg, Winchester, Manchester and Shelbyville in southern Tennessee.
Counties included in Alabama span much of the northern and central portions of the state, including Jefferson, Madison, Tuscaloosa, Shelby, Calhoun, Etowah, Limestone, Morgan, Cullman and Talladega counties.
In Mississippi, the watch includes the Jackson metro area as well as Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Lauderdale, Lee, Lowndes, Monroe, Warren, Yazoo and numerous surrounding counties. Southern Middle Tennessee counties under the watch include Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall and Wayne counties.
Forecasters warn that storms developing this afternoon could produce damaging straight-line winds reaching 75 mph, capable of downing trees and power lines. Large hail, intense lightning and torrential rainfall are also possible, while a few storms could become capable of producing isolated tornadoes.
Travelers on Interstates 20, 22, 55, 59, 65 and 565 should prepare for rapidly changing conditions, including reduced visibility and hazardous driving during heavier storms.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop. Residents should remain weather aware and be prepared to seek shelter quickly if warnings are issued later today.
The strongest storms are expected through the late afternoon and early evening before gradually weakening after sunset.
