Overview
- National Weather Service meteorologists issued a tornado warning Wednesday from 4:13 to 5:15 p.m. CT for parts of Autauga, Lowndes, and Montgomery counties with urgent instructions to take cover.
- Hours earlier, a severe thunderstorm warning targeted northern Marengo and south central Sumter counties with radar indicating 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail through 2:45 p.m. CT.
- Schools across Central Alabama moved to early dismissal as a safety step, reducing student travel during the highest risk window for damaging winds, hail, and possible tornadoes.
- Forecasts called for 2 to 4 inches of rain in spots with a chance of localized flash flooding as storms track into the night, especially for southern areas.
- Several alerts were radar-indicated, meaning meteorologists detected rotation on radar even without a confirmed touchdown, which still warrants immediate shelter in an interior room or basement.