Severe Thunderstorm Watch 181 issued for parts of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana through 9 p.m. CDT

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 181 at 1:20 p.m. CDT Wednesday for parts of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, warning that damaging winds and large hail are possible through 9 p.m. CDT.

The watch covers southwest into south-central Alabama, southeast Louisiana, central and southern Mississippi, and adjacent coastal waters. The primary threats are scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and scattered large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

In its forecast discussion, the Storm Prediction Center said, “Clusters of thunderstorms are forecast to intensify this afternoon and persist into the evening. The stronger thunderstorms will be capable of a risk for large hail and damaging wind gusts (55-70 mph). This activity will gradually push east-southeastward towards the coast by mid evening.” That means storms developing inland Wednesday afternoon could continue strengthening as they move closer to the Gulf Coast later in the day.

A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area; it is not the same as a warning, which is issued when a storm is occurring or about to occur. The Storm Prediction Center emphasized that distinction in its public message: “REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.” Residents across the watch area should monitor local National Weather Service warnings and emergency alerts through Wednesday afternoon and evening.

As of the source capture, no status report for Watch 181 had yet been issued, and no confirmed local damage, injuries or other impacts tied specifically to the watch had been authoritatively reported. The watch is separate from any later county- or parish-level severe thunderstorm warnings that may be issued if storms intensify.