ISOLATED STRONG STORMS POSSIBLE THIS EVENING… The Storm Prediction Center continues to outlook much of west Alabama in their Level 1, low-end severe weather risk zone valid for this afternoon into the evening hours. The risk of a tornado is very low, but it’s not zero. The greatest concern will be the strong storms capable of producing a few areas of damaging straight line winds. The greater severe weather risk will happen over the northwest corner of Alabama and north Mississippi. The last day of 2018 looks to be wet at times with scattered showers and thunderstorms across south Alabama and northwest Florida. High temperatures will peak well above our climatalogical averages for this time of year, near 74 in most spots.
Some great review information about the severe weather risk later today…
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 across our region. Keep the rain gear handy if you’re headed out to a celebration!
RAIN TO LINGER INTO THE NEW YEAR… Scattered showers will linger into New Year’s Day across the region as high temps remain above average. Cooler, drier air is on the way for the weekend, however. We go SUNNY for Friday and Saturday when high temperatures will drop back to around 60 with overnight lows in the 30s.
See all the details in your Monday #rzw forecast video… Have a great day!