MIDDAY UPDATE… The risk of strong to severe storms is nowhere near over just yet across south Alabama and northwest Florida. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 6PM for Escambia (AL), Covington, Escambia (FL), Santa Rosa, Okaloosa counties and points east. Much of the Wiregrass Region and Florida Panhandle is included in the Tornado Watch. Counties included in the tornado watch are where the atmosphere is currently the most unstable and thus, supportive of storms that could produce tornadoes.
WATCHING STORMS IN MISSISSIPPI… Several discrete thunderstorms are popping up across central Mississippi as of midday. Depending on how these storms develop over the next 2 hours will tell us a lot about the overall severe weather risk and how it will shake out over the next 6 hours or so. IF storms become severe early, “buckle up,” as we may have a long afternoon/evening ahead with multiple tornado warnings. There is a chance that the bulk of this severe weather action (due to the storms back in Mississippi) may happen to our north. Plenty of questions at this point with not many answers. We’ll know more in the next few hours.
COASTAL STORMS… Strong thunderstorms are happening near the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches as of Noon. Very heavy rain and lots of lightning are happening near Gulf Shores, Lillian, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, Warrington, Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Heavy rain is likely to begin shortly in Mary Esther, across Eglin AFB lands, and in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. So far, we have had no tornado warnings because of these storms, but there is no doubt that some of these storms are broadly rotating.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES… Heavier rain amounts will almost certainly happen along and east of I-65 today into tonight. Places like Gulf Shores, Foley, Bay Minette, Atmore, Brewton, Andalusia, Opp, Jay, Milton, and Pensacola continue to have intermittent heavy rain. This is why we have the Flash Flood Watch in effect for basically the same areas that have the tornado watch valid until 6PM. Much of west Alabama, however, remains dry as of Noon. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a few flash flood warnings before the end of the day in northwest Florida and south central Alabama.
I’ll have more updates throughout the afternoon and into the evening in the RedZone Weather app. Let me know if you have any questions!
