Across west and southwest Alabama, rain showers earlier this afternoon have, for the most part, dissipated. However, winds continue to gust to almost severe limits particularly across west-central Alabama even with no rain or thunderstorms present. These winds are due to a gravity wave; a simple explanation goes as follows: a strong pressure indifference develops following rain showers and thus winds can gust upwards of 40 or even 50 mph.
The National Weather Service has at least a dozen reports of non-thunderstorm wind damage across parts of Sumter, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Greene, and Hale counties including some homes and businesses without power.
This area of enhanced wind gusts will continue eastward toward the Birmingham metro over the next 30 to 45 minutes with isolated instances of wind damage possible. No severe weather or tornadoes will result.
