SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE TO OUR NORTH TODAY; WARM LOCALLY… Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible across the northern half of Alabama, but no storms are expected in south Alabama or northwest Florida. You’ll be hard pressed to find any rain locally either, although I’ve included a very small (<10%) chance of rain this morning to account for the possibility of one or two tiny showers. The bigger issues today will clearly be well to our north where tornadoes and damaging winds will be possible in the stronger storms across Tennessee and north Alabama. More details about that are below. Over the next few days, warm temperatures are expected. Some spots will rise into the low-90s on Thursday and Friday. Let’s talk details.
MOST TO STAY DRY LOCALLY TODAY… Warm, dry conditions are expected throughout the day across south Alabama and northwest Florida. High temperatures will peak in the mid-80s across our region except at the immediate beach zones where upper-70s are more likely. One or two tiny, brief showers are possible, but most spots will remain dry.
LEVEL 2 RISK ACROSS TENNESSEE AND NORTH ALABAMA… The Storm Prediction Center maintains a Level 2 (out of 5) slight severe weather risk today for parts of north Alabama, much of western and central Tennessee, and southern Kentucky. A few tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and hail will all be possible in these areas today. In Alabama, the following locales are involved in this: slightly higher risk zone: Huntsville, Decatur, Cullman, Double Springs, Moulton, Russellville, Hamilton, Ft. Payne, Scottsboro, Boaz, Athens, Ardmore, Florence, and Muscle Shoals. Nashville, Jackson, and Chattanooga are included in Tennessee. If you’re traveling to these areas today for essential work, be aware of the potential for severe storms, including tornadoes.
LOWER RISK FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA… Much of the central part of Alabama is involved in the lower-end, Level 1 (out of 5) risk zone. This is where the atmosphere is much more marginal for stronger storms, aka not as supportive for severe weather. This zone includes Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Talladega, Jasper, Anniston, Roanoke, and Aliceville.
NO FORMAL RISK FOR SOUTH ALABAMA… If you are anywhere south of U.S. Highway 80, including all of south Alabama and northwest Florida, you have NO formal risk of severe weather today! Our weather pattern is much more stable locally and not supportive for active weather today. A shower or two can’t be completely ruled out, but the issues will clearly be to our north today.
WARM (BORDERLINE HOT) DAYS AHEAD… Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will likely be dry, sunny, and warm. I would venture to say that some would call our weather pattern h-o-t, as temperatures could surpass 90 degrees at times in the afternoon hours, especially on Thursday. No rain is expected after today until Sunday.
COOLER AIR RETURNS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY… Slightly cooler air will rush into our region on Sunday as a cold front moves by. High temperatures are slated to drop back into the 70s both on Sunday and into the early part of next week. Morning lows will dip into the 50s.
RAIN CHANCES RISE EARLY NEXT WEEK… Multiple rounds of rain appear possible in the early forecast guidance for the upcoming week. Rain will be possible Sunday and then again Monday into Tuesday. For now, severe weather parameters remain low. Something to monitor over the next few days!
CARDS FOR THE ELDERLY… If you missed our detailed post on Thursday evening about our new RedZone Weather Cards for the Elderly program, be sure to visit the link below for all the information. This is an opportunity for students and adults across our region to write encouraging notes to elderly people currently under lockdown in local nursing homes due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/400827163408962/posts/1525439774281023/
APP ALERTS… redzoneweather.com/app is the link where you can download the free RedZone Weather app. We post brief updates throughout each day in the app, keeping you up-to-date about the latest happenings in weather across south Alabama and northwest Florida. Once you have the free 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 alerts you would like to receive straight from me.
See all the details in your Tuesday #rzw forecast video. Have a nice day!