FINE FRIDAY; SEVERE STORMS P.M. SATURDAY… All eyes are on Saturday evening when isolated tornadoes and damaging winds will be concerns as a strong to severe line of thunderstorms moves across Alabama and northwest Florida. It’s a Level 3, “enhanced” severe weather risk for much of our region. Before we get to that, a fantastic, warm Friday is on tap. Much of the day Saturday should be nice as well with high temperatures today and tomorrow being near 80. Here are your headlines…
LEVEL 3 RISK CONTINUES FOR SATURDAY… Our last Level 3 “enhanced” risk for south Alabama happened in April 2017, so it’s not exactly a common thing to have a higher risk level like this. It’s also not a Level 4 or 5 risk, however. So what does a Level 3 risk mean? Widespread strong to severe storms are possible across Alabama and northwest Florida. Severe, meaning isolated tornadoes and damaging gusts of straight line wind in the stronger storms. Strong, meaning lightning and heavy rain.
RAIN TIMING… Many folks have outdoor plans over the next 36 hours. Most of us across south Alabama and northwest Florida will be completely dry through 3PM Saturday. There could be an isolated shower or two as early as this (Friday) evening and Saturday morning, but vast majority of us should be dry until the strong line of storms reaches our particular area.
SEVERE WEATHER TIMING… The 12 hour window for strong to severe storms remains from 3PM Saturday to 3AM on Sunday. The core of the risk will happen from 6PM to midnight for our area. Storms will approach the Mississippi/Alabama state line from the west around 5-6PM on Saturday evening, most likely. We mentioned yesterday that the timing of the situation has been difficult to forecast, and thus fluid. I’ll have further updates and refinements about when you can expect storms to arrive posted over the next few hours in the RedZone Weather app.
WHO IS INVOLVED… Some changes from last night… Most areas in SW Alabama, NW Florida, SE Mississippi, and much of central Alabama and SE Louisiana remain involved in the Level 3 “enhanced” risk area. Here are a few of the locales involved in the higher risk zone. Note: Just because your community isn’t mentioned doesn’t necessarily mean it is not included. Brewton, Flomaton, Atmore, Poarch, Evergreen, Repton, Lenox, Castleberry, Monroeville, Excel, Uriah, Beatrice, Thomasville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Coffeeville, Whatley, Leroy, Chatom, Wagerville, Millry, McIntosh, Fruitdale, Mobile, Wilmer, Citronelle, Mt. Vernon, Dauphin Island, Bayou La Batre, Theodore, Daphne, Fairhope, Montrose, Bay Minette, Spanish Fort, Loxley, Robertsdale, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, Ensley, Molino, Century, Walnut Hill, Jay, Milton, Whiting Field, Chumuckla, Navarre, and Gulf Breeze are all included in the Level 3 risk zone.
The Level 3 risk zone has been extended farther north into north Alabama as well. Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Fayette, Jasper, Demopolis, Clanton, Centreville, Selma, Marion, Hamilton, Camden, and Butler are all included.
LEVEL 2 RISK FOR EAST ALABAMA & FL PANHANDLE… SPC has placed the following communities in their (slightly lower compared to the risk last night) Level 2 risk zone: Greenville, Georgiana, McKenzie, Red Level, Andalusia, Straughn, Florala, Opp, Elba, Enterprise, Troy, Ozark, Daleville, Ft. Rucker, Dothan, Geneva, Samson, Crestview, Eglin AFB, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Miramar Beach, De Funiak Springs, Panama City, Port St. Joe, and Marianna.
Auburn, Alexander City, Montgomery, Phenix City, and Centre are also included in the Level 2 risk area.
APP… Many of you have already downloaded the free, new version of the RedZone Weather app which we are SO grateful for! redzoneweather.com/app is where you can get it if you would like to download it. IMPORTANT: Be sure to set up the alerts you would like to receive from us. Tap the Alerts tab (bottom right of app) then tap the big, yellow Alert Settings button to be able to choose the alerts you want.
COVERAGE… I’ll provide live streaming audio and video coverage via our platforms if and when we have tornado warnings for any part of our 12 county coverage area (redzoneweather.com/coverage describes, in detail, our commitment to you).
SUNDAY & NEXT WEEK… Showers will clear out early Sunday morning. Cool, drier air will rush into our area during the daytime hours of Sunday. High temperatures on Sunday and on Monday will struggle to hit the mid-60s! We quickly rebound to near 80 by Wednesday. …and here is the best news: ALL SUNSHINE is expected for Sunday afternoon through at least Thursday. Very excited for calmer weather days ahead and I know many of you are as well.
Let me know if you have specific weather questions! Have a wonderful Friday.