SCATTERED STORMS LATER TODAY; MORE WEEKEND STORMS… Another round of showers and thunderstorms is likely to approach south Alabama and northwest Florida from the west during the middle part of the day. While the tornado risk today remains at or near zero, there will be a low-end severe weather risk in place for parts of west Alabama due to the potential for a few damaging wind gusts in the stronger storms. The overall risk for ANY spot to see severe weather today is very, very low. We could have a few severe storms around on Saturday afternoon and evening however, as the atmosphere will be a bit more conducive for stronger storms. Sunday also will be wet before we begin to dry out early next week. Let’s discuss details…
WARM TODAY; STORMS LIKELY LATER… We are monitoring a developing mesoscale convective system (MCS) to the west this morning that will likely approach west Alabama around midday. Rain could be heavy at times this afternoon. Not every locale across our region will have rain before the end of the day, however. I am keeping the rain gear handy throughout the day and I would suggest you do as well. High temperatures will be in the mid- to upper-80s in most spots.
LEVEL 1 RISK ZONE TODAY… The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has much of south Alabama and northwest Florida included in the “general thunderstorms” zone today, meaning severe weather is probably NOT going to happen in these zones. However, we note that much of Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Marengo, and Choctaw counties in west Alabama ARE involved in the low-end, Level 1 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone. SPC notes that this is due to a potential for damaging wind gusts in the stronger storms and that the overall tornado risk remains very low.
LOCATIONS IN THE LEVEL 1 RISK ZONE… The following communities are included in the low-end risk zone to potentially see a few strong storms later today in west Alabama: Thomasville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Leroy, Chatom, Millry, Silas, Toxey, Gilbertown, Butler, Sweet Water, Pine Hill, Demopolis, Linden, Livingston, Marion, Tuscaloosa, and Aliceville.
RADAR UPDATES IN APP… I will have updates about radar trends and other news today as needed in the RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link where you can download the app. Once you have the app downloaded to your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner) then tap the large, yellow “Alert Settings” button to customize the specific alerts you would like to receive. You can always check the radar at redzoneweather.com/radar or in the Radar tab in the RZW app.
STRONGER STORMS POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY… Much of the inland part of south Alabama is involved in the low-end, Level 1 risk zone for Saturday. I would not be surprised if SPC upgrades part of the area into a Level 2 risk as atmospheric parameters seem potent enough for a few strong to severe storms across the region. The tornado risk probably won’t be zero, but early indications point to the main concern being straight line winds. Regardless of if severe weather happens, there will be a chance of “splash and dash” storms capable of producing heavy rain, gusty winds, lightning, and small hail. High temperatures on Saturday will be in the mid-80s.
HEAVY RAIN POSSIBLE SUNDAY… The latest model guidance points to Sunday being quite wet across our region with 1-2” of rain being possible. It is too early to know whether severe weather issues will be involved, but I would bet there will be some flash flooding concerns as multiple hours of heavy rain seem possible. We’ll keep you posted this weekend in the RedZone Weather app.
See all the details, including a look at the next 7 days, in your Friday #rzw forecast video that will be available in the post above shortly… Have a great weekend!