ISOLATED STORMS THIS AFTERNOON, A FEW STRONG STORMS INLAND… Heat, humidity, and storms will again be the weather headlines for south Alabama and northwest Florida on this Thursday. The Storm Prediction Center continues to include the northern and eastern parts of our area in their Level 1 (out of 5) low-end, marginal severe weather risk zone for today. This means that some of the storms that fire up may be strong. This severe weather risk is not in place because of a tornado threat. The concern will be damaging straight line wind gusts capable of knocking down a few trees. Again, MOST of us will have a hot, humid day with very little in the way of storm action. Rain chances today are in the 30-40% range, meaning there is a good chance at least some of us will remain dry all day. High temperatures will rise into the low-90s this afternoon. The weekend looks to be a bit drier overall. Let’s talk details…

LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) RISK FOR EAST ALABAMA… Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts will be most likely to happen across east Alabama on Thursday in the afternoon and evening hours. The following locations are included in the Level 2 risk zone: Auburn, Anniston, Alexander City, Tuskegee, Phenix City, Valley, Lanett, Rockford, Roanoke, Sylacauga, Heflin, and Dadeville. Much of Georgia, including the Atlanta metro area, is included in this slightly higher Level 2 risk. If you’re traveling to any of those areas, be aware of the potential for storms that could produce very heavy rain, gusty or potentially damaging wind gusts, large hail, and deadly cloud-to-ground lightning.

LEVEL 1 (OUT OF 5) RISK FOR MUCH OF LOCAL AREA… If you’re in Escambia (AL), Covington, Butler, Conecuh, Monroe, Clarke, Santa Rosa, or Okaloosa counties in our local area, you’re involved in the low-end, Level 1 severe weather risk zone. These are the counties where a few stronger storms will be possible. The atmosphere may conditionally support storms capable of producing strong winds and hail.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS LOCALLY… Damaging straight line wind gusts and hail will be the main concerns in any storms that can ramp up to strong to severe levels on Thursday. The overall tornado risk remains very low or at zero in many spots. This is a classic summer event where the tornado risk is low, but the storms that do form can be ferocious, potentially producing quite a bit of wind and heavy rain.

SEVERE WEATHER TIMING… Due to the quite humid air mass in place, storms could kick off in the morning, but I expect any severe weather issues that happen to be most likely between 1PM and 7PM. That’s the core timeframe for when storms will be strongest, in the core of the daytime heating process.

RADAR UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN RZW APP… Tornadoes are not expected today across our local area. If any storms ramp up to severe limits, the main concerns will be damaging straight line wind gusts and potentially large hail. I will be posting radar updates as needed throughout the day in the RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download.

HOT, HUMID FRIDAY; A FEW STORMS POSSIBLE… We return to a more seasonal summer day on Friday with high temperatures in the low- to mid-90s with isolated afternoon and evening storms being possible. Severe weather is not expected on Friday, but storms could produce quite a bit of lightning.

BUILDING HEAT THIS WEEKEND… High temperatures will edge upward into the mid- to upper-90s on Saturday and on Sunday. Rain chances will be much lower (10-20% chance range each day) as high pressure builds in. If you’re going to be outside a lot this weekend, make sure to have the sunscreen handy as most spots will have quite a bit of sunshine each day!

MORE STORMS NEXT WEEK… An early look at next week reveals a seasonal summer patten set to continue. High temperatures will be in the 90s with morning lows in the low- to mid-70s with a chance of rain each afternoon/evening. I see nothing in the way of significant severe weather or tropical weather issues. Good news!

See all the graphics and details in your Thursday #rzw forecast video… Have a great day!