Tornado watch covers central, western Alabama; a few tornadoes possible through 11 p.m.

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued Tornado Watch 187 for parts of Alabama at 2:40 p.m. CDT Wednesday, warning that tornadoes are likely through 11 p.m. and that a couple could be intense. The alert is based on forecast conditions, not confirmed tornado damage. In the watch text, the Storm Prediction Center said: “A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible.”

The watch covers parts of central and western Alabama, not the entire state. The area extends about 70 miles east and west of a line from 55 miles northwest of Gadsden to 30 miles southwest of Evergreen, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Included counties span several population centers, including counties such as Jefferson, home to the Birmingham area, along with Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Shelby, Talladega, Cullman, Marshall, Walker, Dallas, Autauga and Etowah, among others.

The agency said scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop and intensify through the afternoon and continue into the evening. In addition to the tornado threat, forecasters said scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are likely and isolated hail up to 2 inches in diameter is possible. Some of the stronger storms could become supercellular, meaning organized rotating thunderstorms, with the tornado risk expected to be greatest from late afternoon into the evening as stronger low-level wind shear develops.

A tornado watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. A warning is more urgent and means a tornado is occurring or imminent and people should take shelter. As the National Weather Service’s Weather-Ready Nation program puts it: “A Tornado WATCH means Be Prepared. A Tornado WARNING means Take Action!”

As of the official materials reviewed, no Storm Prediction Center status report had been issued yet, and there were no confirmed tornado touchdowns, injuries, fatalities or damage reports attached to this watch.

People in the watch area should monitor later statements from the National Weather Service and be ready to act if warnings are issued through the evening.