A strong moist southerly flow is persisting with an approaching cold front, creating the possible ingredients for severe weather this afternoon and tonight for the northwest corner of Alabama, including the Shoals Area.  There is a 50% chance of thunderstorm activity this afternoon and an 80% chance of thunderstorms tonight.

Possible supercell development ahead of the front is the main thing to watch for.  Shoals Area residents should remain weather aware thorugh the afternoon and evening hours.

For more information about this event, please see the special weather announcement by the National Weather Service out of Huntsville, Alabama.

A voluntary recall was issued for Oregon Scientific weather radios due to a potential failure of some of the models to receive weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service.  Models WR103NX, WR108, WRB308, and WRB308J are affected by the recall.  Not receiving alerts of severe weather can put lives and property at risk.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has created a web page with more information on this recall. Consumers with affected models can also visit the recall section of the Oregon Scientific website for further information.

On August 17th, 2007, a severe storm affected Lauderdale county and the Underwood / Petersville area north of Florence.  A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the storm, which started to weaken as it moved over Florence and the Tennessee River.  The damage was reported as follows:

• Power lines down on Country Road 139, 3 miles west of Zip City (see area on Google Maps)
• Wind damage 3 miles north north east of Underwood / Petersville on County Road 24 off Highway 17, including trees across road (see area on Google Maps)
• Power lines and trees blown down in Petersville around County Road 7 and 11 (see area on Google Maps)
• Trees downed and roof blown off of barn, shed damaged on County Road 510 , 4 miles north of Anderson, just south of the Tennessee state line (see area on Google Maps)

WAFF’s Brad Travis was covering the warnings online.