STORM2K

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 359
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
115 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2003

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ALABAMA
CENTRAL GEORGIA
EXTREME SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

EFFECTIVE THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 115 PM UNTIL 700
PM CDT.

HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70
MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 50 STATUTE MILES
NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 75 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF MACON
GEORGIA TO 95 MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF SELMA ALABAMA.

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. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE
TORNADOES.


OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 357...WW 358...


DISCUSSION...SCATTERED STRONG/SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO
INTENSIFY ACROSS PARTS OF MS/AL/GA DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS...ALONG
SURFACE OUTFLOW BOUNDARY. VERY MOIST/UNSTABLE AIRMASS COUPLED WITH
SUFFICIENT VERTICAL SHEAR WILL PROMOTE THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGING
WINDS AND LARGE HAIL.

AVIATION...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT
TO 2 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60
KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM
MOTION VECTOR 27030.


...HART