Large hail, powerful winds blast Alabama, as severe storms provide needed rain for drought-stricken Southeast

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Severe thunderstorms rumbled crossed Alabama opening Thursday day and lasting done the overnight hours, bringing hail, beardown wind gusts and adjacent a tornado to the bluish and cardinal parts of the state.

MARCH WEATHER OUTLOOK: WARMER TEMPERATURES, SEVERE STORM THREATS ON THE HORIZON AS WE SPRING INTO NEXT MONTH

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado damaged areas conscionable southwest of Trussville successful Jefferson County soon aft 09:30 p.m.

SPLIT IN POLAR VORTEX TO USHER IN WARM WEATHER ACROSS WINTER-WEARY EASTERN US NEAR BEGINNING OF MARCH

Social media video showed a funnel unreality looming down respective stores besides successful Jefferson County earlier Thursday afternoon, arsenic the associated terrible thunderstorm dropped ample hail.

There's been nary connection connected immoderate injuries caused by the storms.

Trees were knocked down successful adjacent Center Point. Photos from the occurrence section showed ample downed trees blocking a section road. 

Hail accumulated successful piles crossed backyards giving the quality of snow.

The NWS received reports of hail 2 inches successful diameter successful St. Clair County.

Non-severe storms were ongoing Friday greeting crossed confederate Alabama arsenic the strategy shifted east.

While severe storms caused damage, they are besides bringing much-needed rainfall to the drought-stricken Southeast.

MASSIVE FLORIDA WILDFIRE SHUTS DOWN INTERSTATE 75 ALONG PART OF ALLIGATOR ALLEY AMID HISTORIC DROUGHT

Nearly 100 percent of Alabama is experiencing drought conditions, portion Georgia and Florida person reached full drought coverage. Florida, successful particular, is experiencing its worst adust spell successful 25 years.

The acold beforehand liable for the terrible upwind volition descent south, bringing rainfall into the Florida Panhandle and the bluish and cardinal parts of the authorities by Friday afternoon, and showers are expected to linger done Saturday morning.

Rain totals volition mostly beryllium astir 1–2 inches crossed Central Florida, including Orlando, done Saturday. While the remainder of the Southeast volition accumulate betwixt a half-inch and an inch of rainfall from these tempest systems.

While not drought-busting by immoderate means, the precipitation is simply a invited alteration from the adust conditions.