A powerful storm system will move over Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama Thursday afternoon, bringing widespread threats of damaging winds, giant hail, and a low-end tornado danger until midnight.
According to National Weather Service offices in Memphis, Jackson, and Birmingham, a modest risk (Level 2 of 5) is in effect from 3 p.m. to midnight CDT on April 10. Storms are forecast to form in the Mississippi Delta and proceed east, damaging cities such as Memphis, Jackson, Birmingham, and the surrounding areas.
In Mississippi, hail up to golf ball size and wind gusts of 60 mph (ca. 97 km/h) are likely, particularly north of Interstate 20. We cannot rule out a few tornadoes. Tennessee faces comparable concerns, with Memphis and the I-40 corridor under a risk alert from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Meanwhile, storms in northern Alabama, including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, could deliver quarter-sized hail and strong gusts until 10 p.m.
Rainfall is forecast to be less than 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) across the region, reducing significant flooding worries.
We encourage residents to monitor weather forecasts, secure unsecured outdoor goods, and plan ahead for safe shelter areas. Due to the rapid movement of the storm, warnings may be issued with little advance notice. Visit weather.gov for updates.
