Schools are closing early in north Alabama today – officials are trying to get the kids home before a powerful wall of thunderstorms blows through the area. It's the front side of a massive cold front and the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning, tornado watch and wind advisory.
As of 2:30 ET today, it hadn't hit Pickwick yet, where the Bassmaster Elite Series field is practicing for this week's event. Randy Howell's still out on the water – checking the radar on his iPhone and communicating with his wife, who's also tracking the storm.
"It's pretty nasty looking out here," Howell told BassFan from the water. "It's not above me yet, but I'm just trying to fish as long as I can before it gets too bad."
The storm is supposed to move through tonight and leave cold, windy, bluebird conditions in its wake for tomorrow's final practice day. Initially, there was some speculation that the TVA would drop the Pickwick water levels, which would leave the bushes high and dry. Howell said there's still 3 to 4 feet of water in the bushes, so the flipping bite's still real strong.
Competition begins Wednesday, and we hope everyone in Alabama comes through the storms okay.
