RAIN & STORMS MORE LIKELY INLAND TODAY… There is a low-end risk of severe weather (damaging winds & hail) today to our north. Rain chances will vary quite a bit across our area today, with coastal/beach areas likely being dry for much of the day. Inland areas, on the other hand, have a 50-60% chance of rain. Several hot, humid, seasonal days are ahead. Let’s talk…
LOW-END SEVERE RISK… While the greater risk of strong to severe thunderstorms will happen to our north and west today, there is a low-end risk of stronger storms happening today in Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Butler counties. U.S. Highway 84 could serve as a good marker… If you’re north of there, a low-end risk of stronger storms will happen later today. If you’re south of US84, odds are you’ll have less rain and a lesser risk of a stronger storm. Locally, this means that Thomasville, Grove Hill, Silas, Gilbertown, Butler, Monroeville, Camnden, and Greenville have a slightly higher risk of stronger storms today than communities farther to the south like Mobile, Pensacola, Foley, and Milton.
SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TO OUR NORTH… The Storm Prediction Center has included much of central and north Alabama in their Level 2 (out of 5) “slight” risk zone to potentially see a few severe storms today, mainly in the afternoon/evening hours. The main concern in the stronger storms that happen will be damaging straight line wind gusts capable of downing trees. Small hail will be a possibility in the stronger storms as well. The tornado risk across central/north Alabama remains very low, but not zero. Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Talladega, Florence, Jasper, Hamilton, Fayette, Centreville, Greensboro, Livingston, Hoover, Cullman, Oneonta, Centre, Fort Payne, and Moulton are all included in the Level 2 risk area.
HOT WEEKEND AHEAD… Partly cloudy skies with high temperatures in the 90s with a low-end chance of isolated downpours/storms in the afternoon and evening hours! That’s what you can expect over the next few days as our seasonal forecast continues. If you happen to be under one of the stronger storms, you can expect heavy rain downpours, lightning, and brief gusty winds. Overnight lows will consistently be near 70°.
TROPICS REMAIN QUIET… The National Hurricane Center continues to indicate that the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean will be quiet over the next 5 days. No tropical storm formation is expected.
I’ve got all the forecast details for you in your Friday #rzw forecast video that will be posted shortly here in the RZWeather app… Enjoy the day!