Monday storms bring gusty winds, hail, tornado potential

Published 9:28 am Monday, March 31, 2025

The National Weather Service in Birmingham’s forecast for Monday projects the potential for damaging winds, along with a threat for tornadoes and quarter-sized hail.

A Severe Thunderstorm watch was issued for Lowndes County and remains in effect until 12 p.m. Monday.

Damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour are likely.

An earlier tornado watch was cancelled, but the NWS highlighted the possibility for damaging winds.

” While the “tornado’ phrasing has been removed from the watch, don’t be lulled into a sense of ‘weakening,'” the agency warned. “Damaging winds can cause just as much damage as a tornado, and there is still enough shear (turning of the winds) for a tornado to form.”

Storm clusters entered northwest Alabama around 7 a.m. A few rotations developed, but no tornadoes were thought to have accompanied the storms’ earliest line of heavy showers. Pockets of gusty winds and small hail were occurring around 9 a.m.

“Keep an eye on the weather, make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and remember that damaging winds can cause just as much damage as a tornado,” the NWS cautioned ahead of the storm. “Regardless of the warning, Severe Thunderstorm vs. Tornado, be ready to take shelter if a warning is issued. Think lowest level, center most room. Prep your safety kit now and be sure you have your safe place identified.”