RAIN & STORMS MOVE OUT LATER TODAY; COLD AIR TO INVADE THE AREA… It’s a wet, soggy morning in most spots across south Alabama and northwest Florida as a cold front approaches our area from the northwest. We are observing the steep thermal gradient across our region as some spots on the eastern side of the region are in the 70s with locales in southern Mississippi, just west of our region, reporting 50s at this hour. This cold, dry, stable air is set to filter into our region today from the west. Grab the jacket before you head out the door this morning as temperatures will turn much cooler very quickly when the cold front passes through your location. Trick-or-treating tonight should be dry in most spots. Let’s look at your forecast details.
LEVEL 1 RISK TO OUR NORTH TODAY… Parts of north and east Alabama are included in the Storm Prediction Center’s Level 1 (out of 5) low-end, marginal severe weather risk. This means that an isolated, brief strong to severe storm or two can’t be ruled out. Widespread severe weather is not expected today, however. The following locales are included in the low-end risk zone: Birmingham, Auburn, Prattville, Talladega, Gadsden, Anniston, Huntsville, Centre, Alexander City, Cullman, Oneonta, and surrounding areas. South Alabama and northwest Florida are in the General Thunderstorms zone.
TRICK-OR-TREAT FORECAST: TONIGHT… Cold, drier air should be in place across the entirety of south Alabama and northwest Florida by 5PM. Temperatures will be in the 40s and low-50s across the region. Wind chill values may be in the low-40s at times tonight during the trick-or-treating process. Keep the jackets and hats handy! Rain jackets very likely won’t be needed.
CLEARING SKIES ON FRIDAY… Friday will kick off a slew of nice, cool, fall days with ample sunshine likely by the time we get to the afternoon hours. High temperatures will be in the low-60s. More of the same is expected for Saturday and Sunday with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.
APP… If you haven’t already, be sure to download the free RedZone Weather app to keep up with all the latest information on the world of weather in south Alabama and northwest Florida. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Once you have the app downloaded to your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner) and tap the large, yellow Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.
See all the graphics and details in your Thursday #rzw forecast video… Have a great day!
Rain and storms will clear out later today as a cold front passes through our area. COLD, dry air moves in later today. Grab that jacket before you head out the door this morning! ? pic.twitter.com/UqlZgxyjMZ
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) October 31, 2019
SCATTERED STORMS OVERNIGHT… The low-end risk of severe weather continues through the morning hours as we wait for a cold front currently situated to our west to pass through our area. This is not a night where we need to stay awake because of a severe weather potential, but it IS a night to have something that can wake you up just in case a weather warning is required for your specific area.
STORMS NEAR THE COAST… We’ll be watching the small, developing showers and thunderstorms that are popping up near the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches. The main concern in the hours ahead will be gusty winds and heavy rain in the localized areas where these storms happen. Damaging wind gusts or a brief tornado will also be possible in any storms that can ramp up to severe levels.
Here is a blurry photo of the rope tornado that happened at Fort Walton Beach around 6:25PM. Photo over Uptown Station sent in by Keith Enfinger. @NWSMobile @StormHour pic.twitter.com/FaE9sSIz2J
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) October 31, 2019