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!