The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 7 p.m. Friday.

The text of the watch is as follows:

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of 
     Central and west central Alabama

   * Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1250 PM until
     700 PM CDT.

   * Primary threats include...
     Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
       inches in diameter possible
     Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

   SUMMARY...Scattered thunderstorm development is expected through the
   afternoon across west central into central Alabama. The strongest
   storms could develop some supercell structures and pose a threat for
   large hail and isolated damaging winds, prior to weakening this
   evening.

   The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
   statute miles north and south of a line from 35 miles west southwest
   of Tuscaloosa AL to 45 miles southeast of Birmingham AL. For a
   complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
   update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

   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.

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