Breaking: Tornado Swarm Developing In Louisiana and Mississippi

Radar images indicated what appeared
to be a strong tornado on radar
heading toward Alexandria, Louisiana.
Note on the lower image the opposing
bright colors close to each other
indicating a tornado.

As of 1:30 Eastern Time, there have been several reports of tornadoes on Louisiana and into western Mississippi.

Details are sparse right now because this is just the beginning of a tornadic afternoon in these areas. But radar images indicate at least one or two strong tornadoes. They show "debris balls" which is debris being lofted high into the air. 

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center says a corridor in central Louisiana is now open for the development of strong tornadoes.

For the rest of the day, eastern Louisiana and western and central Mississippi seem most at risk for strong, dangerous tornadoes.

One especially dangerous looking tornado (at least on radar) was heading toward Alexandria, Louisiana, population about 47,000 as of 1:40 p.m. Eastern Time.

There is sometimes a severe tornado outbreak in the Deep South in December as strong storm systems pass through. For most of the nation, though, tornadoes are most likely in the spring and summer.

I'm sure there will be more news on this later as reporters on the ground give us storm and damage updates. Stay safe down there!