ISOLATED STRONG STORMS POSSIBLE THIS EVENING… Any thunderstorms that pop up or move in from the west this afternoon and this evening have a small chance of becoming severe as the Storm Prediction Center has a Level 1 (out of 5) low-end severe weather risk in place across much of our region. The main concern in the stronger or marginally severe storms today will be damaging wind gusts. The tornado risk remains VERY low, if not zero for most spots. We’ve also got showers and storms upcoming each afternoon and evening over the next few days. Let’s talk details…
RAIN CHANCES INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON… We’ll call it a 30-40% chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Inland communities in the northwestern part of our region like Thomasville, Grove Hill, Coffeeville, Silas, Toxey, Chatom, and Millry have the greatest chance of rain in our local area. These communities are also the areas that have the greatest chance of seeing a strong or severe storm today. Places closer to the immediate coast like Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, and Destin have a lower rain chance compared to inland areas. High temperatures will again be in the upper-80s. Again, not everyone across our region will have rain before the end of the day, although some inevitably will. Heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds will be the “below severe limits” concerns today.
LEVEL 1 RISK EXPANDED… Shortly after this video was produced, the Storm Prediction Center expanded the Level 1 (out of 5) marginal risk zone to include all of our local area minus Covington and Okaloosa counties. This means while the overall chance of severe weather remains very low, it won’t be zero.
LEVEL 1 RISK: WHO IS INVOLVED… If you’re in any of the following communities, you are included in the low-end severe weather risk zone: Mobile, Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Bayou La Batre, Wilmer, Citronelle, Chatom, Fruitdale, Vinegar Bend, Wagerville, Leroy, Jackson, Grove Hill, Thomasville, Coffeeville, Beatrice, Uriah, Monroeville, Mexia, Burnt Corn, Repton, Evergreen, Brooklyn, Atmore, Poarch, Huxford, Flomaton, Brewton, East Brewton, Riverview, Greenville, Georgiana, Chapman, Forest Home, Walnut Hill, Bratt, Jay, and Molino.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS TODAY… There is a good chance that some locations won’t have any rain today, but where storms fire up, I expect heavy rain, quite a bit of lightning, and potentially gusty winds. The main concern in the low-end severe weather risk zone will be damaging straight line wind gusts capable of knocking down a few trees or tree limbs. The tornado risk remains VERY low. Large hail is possible in any severe storm as well.
WEEKEND PREVIEW… Scattered showers and thunderstorms will remain in the forecast Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, particularly in the afternoon and evening hours. The overall severe weather risk this weekend remains very low. High temperatures will consistently remain near 90° with morning lows in the mid- to upper-60s.
See all the details in your Thursday #rzw forecast video… Enjoy your day!