OUTLOOK UPGRADE: LEVEL 3 SEVERE WEATHER RISK FOR SUNDAY… The risk of severe storms on Easter Sunday continues to increase. There is a growing chance that significant/long-track tornadoes could be involved with this event. The Storm Prediction Center has placed ALL of our local area in south Alabama and northwest Florida in their Level 3 (out of 5) enhanced severe weather risk zone valid for Sunday, meaning scattered severe storms will be likely. SPC has gone to great lengths to communicate the seriousness of this situation, going so far as to say “an outbreak of severe thunderstorms” may be possible. Further outlook upgrades will be possible.
DETAILS TO COME INTO FOCUS… We are still 3 days out from this severe weather potential, meaning we have more questions than answers at this point concerning specifics. There is no way to know at this point what specific hazards will be for specific communities, which is why we look at consistent weather model trends to make generalizations about what you can expect. Typically on a Level 3 (out of 5) risk day, you’ll get a few tornadoes, multiple to numerous reports of wind damage, and some reports of large hail. Flash flooding could also be a concern.
TORNADO WARNING POLICY… Any time there is an active tornado warning in effect for southwest Alabama or northwest Florida, we provide uninterrupted, live video coverage on Facebook Live and in the RedZone Weather app. Our detailed coverage commitment is outlined at redzoneweather.com/coverage. We are proud to cover all parts of Escambia (AL), Covington, Monroe, Conecuh, Baldwin, Mobile, Clarke, Washington, Butler, Escambia (FL), Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. If you live in any locale in those counties, be sure to tune into our coverage whenever there is an active tornado warning!
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.
COVID-19 AND TORNADO WARNING GUIDELINES… We are in a weird time when the guidelines on what to do during a tornado warning versus what to do regarding social distancing because of COVID-19 may seem to conflict. If you, your family, or your friends use a community underground storm shelter, please take the opportunity to read the recommended guidelines established by our local National Weather Service offices and the state health department. Basically, the tornado warning takes precedence over social distancing when/if necessary as the tornado is the more immediate threat. Here is the post outlining those details.
I am extensively reviewing data concerning this severe weather potential for Sunday and look forward to having a detailed forecast video and discussion posted early this afternoon. See you then!
