|February 12, 2008|
Damaging Winds Sweep Across The Region
Tuesday Afternoon and Evening
Abundant Gulf moisture and mild daytime temperatures set the stage for severe weather on Tuesday as a strong cold front advanced from the southern Plains. Scattered thunderstorms developed across the area in the early afternoon hours while a powerful line of severe thunderstorms advanced across the lower Mississippi River valley. The line of storms surged into southeast Mississippi shortly after 2:30 pm and swept across southwest Alabama and the northwest Florida panhandle through the early evening, resulting in numerous reports of downed trees and roof damage. A funnel cloud was observed near Dauphin Island near 5 pm with wind gusts at nearby observation stations reaching 74 mph, hurricane force, around that time. Similarly strong wind gusts of 84 mph were reported near Fort Morgan around 515 pm as the dangerous line of storms continued eastward. The timing of the powerful winds during rush hour traffic made for exceptionally hazardous driving conditions for motorists, especially those crossing bridges. Quarter sized hail was also reported in Daphne and Whistler, Alabama.