There's no doubt that this event is hitting its potential in MS/AL. The main questions at this point are: 1) how strong do the tornados get, 2) do they hit major metro areas, 3) do areas farther north get unstable quickly enough to set off a major round of tornadic storms this evening (I'm referring mainly to the OH Valley).
Indeed.
But this event will not cover the scope that 1974 did. We just aren't going to see lots of long-track, violent twisters from AL all the way up to MI like the Super Outbreak did. Everything points to this being a more southern-oriented event.
Seeing how things have initiated this morning, it's clear today's outbreak will be a far cry from the Super Outbreak of 1974...as the vast majority of posters suspected.
Still looks like it should be the most significant outbreak in quite awhile, though, especially counting yesterday/last night's tornados.
Yes, the population has increased a lot, but not a huge percentage in the primary areas that would be affected.
In addition, tornado warning systems/technology are light years ahead of where they were in 1974, which would certainly help save lives.