1:45 AM UPDATE

Line of strong thunderstorms now in NW Alabama. The line extends across North-Central and Central Mississippi into NE Louisiana.

In NW Alabama, strong thunderstorms now from Lamar County north into Marion, Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale Counties. Lots of lightning. These storms will be moving into Winston and NW Fayette Counties soon.

"Significant weather alert" for Southern Marion and Lamar Counties due mainly to wind. This is short of a severe thunderstorm warning.

Have been scanning reports and I don't see any indication of any major damage so far tonight. There has been scattered damage around Greenwood, Mississippi along with some baseball hail in the area. Hail up to 2.75 inches in diameter earlier tonight at Bastrop, Louisiana.

The cold front has now passed Memphis. They are down to 57 degrees.

The time line for Alabama still seems on track as outlined in our earlier post, maybe reaching Birmingham as early as 3:00-4:00 a.m. and to the racetrack at Talladega one to three hours later.

We are here for the duration as long as the coffee holds out. Stay tuned.