SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE… The severe weather situation today has so far happened exactly as the forecast called for. There have been a few stronger storms across north Mississippi, north Alabama, and Tennessee where several severe thunderstorms have happened. It’s been a mostly dreary day across south Alabama and northwest Florida with temperatures stuck around 70°. We’re tracking the main line of thunderstorms back over Mississippi, currently draped from north to south near the I-55 corridor near Hattiesburg, Meridian, extending southward to near Slidell and New Orleans. Out ahead of the main line of storms, NUMEROUS tiny rain showers are happening across our local area. Heavier pockets of rain are currently happening over Thomasville, Coffeeville, and Chatom.

NEXT FEW HOURS… We’ll monitor the main line of thunderstorms closely as it approaches west Alabama. So far, the atmospheric parameters supportive of severe weather have been paltry/weak across the entirety of our region. Good news! The tornado risk won’t be zero across west Alabama over the next few hours, but it certainly is not high. Have a way to receive warnings over the next several hours. Odds are we will not have any tornado warnings locally, but I can’t rule that possibility out entirely just yet. The severe weather risk will end probably in the 8PM-9PM timeframe locally.

MIDNIGHT FORECAST… Many folks will be out and about around midnight as we usher in 2019. Other than a few rain showers and areas of fog, I am not expecting severe weather after 8-9PM. Thunder and lightning will be possible, but even that may be a stretch at this point considering how weak instability values have been so far today.

More updates will be posted over the next several hours in the RedZone Weather app.

SCATTERED SHOWERS CONTINUE… Numerous small rain showers continue to develop and drift generally northeastward across south Alabama and northwest Florida. The main line of thunderstorms that we are tracking this evening is over SE Mississippi approaching the Interstate 55 corridor. This line of storms will move to the east over the next few hours. The overall risk of severe weather is LOW, but not quite zero just yet. We’ll keep watching!

SHOWERS TODAY; STORMS POSSIBLE NEW YEAR’S EVE… Most of us are dry across south Alabama and northwest Florida, but if you’re in Conecuh or Covington counties right now, it’s wet right now as scattered showers and storms continue to produce bursts of heavy rain. This will be the trend over the next several hours as scattered showers and storms continue to develop and move northeast across our local area. Severe weather is NOT expected today, but there could be a few strong storms around on Monday, particularly across the far western fringes of our local area. Temperatures are set to remain quite above our seasonal norms over the next few days, but don’t fret if you want cold weather. It’s on the way for later this week. That’s your weather summary and below are all of the details…

SCATTERED RAIN AROUND THIS EVENING… We’ll call it a 40-50% chance of showers and thunderstorms through 6PM. An unsettled pattern continues across south Alabama and northwest Florida, but the good news is I’m not expecting any severe storms today or tonight. Keep the rain gear handy today, tonight, and on Monday as there could be showers around at any given point. High temperatures on this Sunday will peak around 74°. Temps won’t move much overnight with most spots ending up in the 60s by daybreak on Monday.

ISOLATED STRONG STORMS ON MONDAY… The Storm Prediction Center has outlooked the western part of our local area in their low-end, Level 1 marginal severe weather risk valid for Monday. The greater chance of severe storms will happen across the northwest corner of Alabama and in northeast Mississippi where the Level 2 slight risk is in place.

LEVEL 2 RISK TO OUR NORTH… Communities along and west of Interstate 59 in northwest Alabama are included in the standard slight risk zone to potentially see a few stronger storms on Monday into Monday evening. Huntsville, Cullman, Decatur, Muscle Shoals, Florence, Hartselle, Double Springs, Aliceville, Hamilton, Jasper, Russellville have the greatest chance of severe weather on Monday. The greatest risk will be damaging straight line winds in the stronger storms. An isolated tornado or two will be possible as well.

LEVEL 1 RISK FOR WEST ALABAMA LOCALLY… If any strong to severe thunderstorms happen in south Alabama or northwest Florida, they will likely happen WEST of Interstate 65 as a cold front approaches on Monday into Monday evening. For our local area, the following communities are involved in the low-end, Level 1 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone: Thomasville, Monroeville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Coffeeville, Chatom, Fruitdale, Vinegar Bend, Leroy, Citronelle, Wilmer, and Mt. Vernon. The Level 1 risk zone extends northeast into central Alabama as well. Butler, Demopolis, Tuscaloosa, Camden, Selma, Prattville, Clanton, Birmingham, Talladega, Anniston, Gadsden, Ft. Payne, and Centre are all included in the low-end risk zone.

FOR COMMUNITIES TO THE EAST… Storms will likely be weakening pretty considerably by the time they get to the communities along and EAST of I-65 in our local area on Monday. This is the “General Thunderstorm” zone as outlooked by the Storm Prediction Center, aka the areas that don’t have a formal severe weather risk. Yes, there will be thunder and lightning at times, but the overall severe weather risk is much lower. Mobile, Pensacola, the Eastern Shore, Brewton, Evergreen, Greenville, Andalusia, Opp, Florala, Destin, Crestview, Milton, Century, Atmore, Poarch, Bay Minette, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf Breeze.

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT MIDNIGHT… There could be a few showers around as we usher in January 1, 2019 at midnight. Most spots should be dry, but I can’t rule out some rain for isolated spots. Keep the rain gear handy if you’re headed out to a celebration!

MORE RAIN ON NEW YEAR’S DAY… The severe weather risk drops to near zero by Tuesday morning, but rain will linger into Tuesday/New Year’s Day across the region. High temperatures will remain above our norms through Wednesday.

COOLER, DRIER AIR ON THE WAY… Thursday is the day when we’ll transition out of this nasty, wet weather pattern and into a more seasonal, cool pattern. High temps by the weekend will drop into the 50s and 60s with overnight lows in the 30s and 40s.

See the graphics and details in your Sunday #rzw forecast video… Have a great day!