SCATTERED STORMS THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING; MAJOR RAINFALL TO OUR WEST… Scattered downpours of heavy rain are expected at times this afternoon into this evening as Tropical Storm Barry continues to pull warm, Gulf moisture northward into our area. It’s been a mess over the last 6-8 hours across southern Mississippi, where numerous tornado warnings and heavy rain have been happening. The overall severe weather risk for south Alabama and northwest Florida remains very low this afternoon. The tornado risk for areas WEST of the Alabama River isn’t exactly zero, but based on the latest convective trends, the greatest threat of tornadoes today clearly remains west of the Alabama/Mississippi state line. If we happen to have any tornado warnings locally, we will be streaming across our platforms to bring you the very latest. Rain chances will decrease somewhat for Monday ahead of drier days for the middle part of the week. Let’s discuss details…
LEVEL 1 (OUT OF 5) TORNADO RISK LOCALLY… The Storm Prediction Center continues to include part of our local area in their Level 1 (out of 5) marginal tornado risk valid now through tonight. The greater tornado risk will clearly happen to our northwest across Mississippi where a Level 2 (out of 5) risk is in place.
TORNADO WATCH TO THE WEST… We note a tornado watch continues for parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, including Baton Rouge, McComb, Jackson (MS), and surrounding areas. If you’re driving west bound into those areas over the next several hours, be aware of a heightened tornado potential.
SHOWERS & STORMS HAPPENING NOW & OVER NEXT FEW HOURS… Storms continue to pop up as of 1:18PM. At the time this video is being produced, heavy downpours of rain are happening near Lyeffion, Sanford, River Falls, Red Level, Butler, Carlton, Beatrice, Andalusia, Wilmer, Chunchula, and Fruitdale. These storms are moving to the north.
TROPICAL STORM BARRY WEAKENING… The center of Tropical Storm Barry is located over the northwestern corner of Louisiana. The system continues to weaken and as of the 1PM advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center, maximum winds are down to 40mph. Barry will become a tropical depression later today before becoming a remnant low pressure area on Monday. Heavy rain and isolated tornadoes will continue to be a concern across parts of Louisiana and Mississippi today, tonight, and on Monday.
DECREASING RAIN CHANCES THIS EVENING… Rain and storms will gradually fade away as we lose daytime heat content this evening. I expect a few showers and storms to linger through 9PM, but after that, most of the area should be dry for the overnight hours. Overnight lows will be around 74° by 6AM on Monday.
P.M. STORMS ON MONDAY… The influence of Barry will come to a close on Monday. Rain chances will be in the 40-50% range as storms pop up and stream to the north. Not everyone will have rain on Monday, but as is so typical in the summer months around here, localized areas may have very heavy rainfall. High temperatures will be around 91° on Monday.
DRIER FOR THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK… Rain chances fall to more seasonal levels (20-30%) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Most spots will be dry and hot with high temperatures in the mid-90s. Storms will be most likely to happen between Noon and 7PM each day when we have the most abundant heat content in the atmosphere.
See all the graphics and details in your Sunday evening #rzw forecast video (above)… Have a nice evening!
