SCATTERED SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TODAY; LEVEL 2 RISK FOR ALL LOCALES… Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible today across south Alabama and northwest Florida with the main concerns being damaging winds and a few tornadoes. Severe storms will be possible from 9AM to 7PM before the entire weather system moves off to our east later this evening. The main concern today will be gusty winds that could knock down a few trees. The tornado risk is low, but it is NOT zero. I would not be surprised if a brief tornado or two happened across the region today. Please have way to receive urgent weather warnings throughout the day. I should be able to give a “region wide” all clear by 7PM most likely, meaning you won’t have to be concerned about severe weather tonight or in the overnight hours. After the rain and storms today, we get an extended streak of sunny, nice days that will last into next week. The weekend looks fantastic and quite warm, with high temperatures potentially hitting the 90 degree mark for the first time in the year 2020. Let’s look at all of your forecast details on what could be an active weather day.
ALL LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) RISK… The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the remainder of our area into their Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk today. This means that scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible. This Level 2 risk now includes: Mobile, Pensacola, Prichard, Saraland, Satsuma, Creola, Mt. Vernon, Citronelle, Gulf Crest, Wilmer, Theodore, Bayou La Batre, Bay Minette, Perdido, Stockton, Atmore, Poarch, Huxford, Brewton, East Brewton, Riverview, Appleton, Pineview, Pollard, Damascus, Andalusia, Opp, Gantt, Straughn, Red Level, Onycha, Greenville, Georgiana, Forest Home, McKenzie, Evergreen, Castleberry, Repton, Owassa, Brooklyn, Monroeville, Beatrice, Peterman, Mexia, Tunnel Springs, Uriah, Megargal, Perdue Hill, Grove Hill, Fulton, Thomasville, Coffeeville, Jackson, Chatom, Millry, Yarbo, St. Stephens, Leroy, Wagerville, Deer Park, Calvert, McIntosh, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island, Spanish Fort, Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope, Foley, Magnolia Springs, Silverhill, Robertsdale, Summerdale, Loxley, Stapleton, Warrington, Myrtle Grove, Molino, Century, Walnut Hill, Jay, Mt. Carmel, Berrydale, Munson, Chumuckla, Pace, Milton, Navarre, Holt, Harold, Crestview, Baker, Laurel Hill, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and surrounding areas.
LEVEL 2 RISK TO OUR NORTH & EAST… We note that the following communities are also involved in the Level 2 (out of 5) risk where scattered severe storms may happen on Wednesday: Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Gadsden, Anniston, Troy, Talladega, Dothan, Enterprise, Elba, Geneva, Samson, Daleville, Abbeville, Eufaula, Phenix City, Alexander City, Lake Martin, Clanton, Selma, Demopolis, Camden, Butler, Marion, Centreville, Maplesville, Prattville, Wetumpka, Oneonta, Leeds, Hoover, Boaz, Ft. Payne, Heflin, Centre, Roanoke, Hayneville, and Luverne.
SEVERE WEATHER TIMING – TODAY… We have refined the severe weather timeframe again slightly as more details have come into better focus. 9AM to 7PM will be the timeframe when strong to severe storms will be most likely to happen across south Alabama and northwest Florida. The core risk will be from 11AM to 3PM. This is the four hour window when storms will likely be at their peak locally. We should be able to give everyone across our region an “all clear” at or perhaps even before 7PM.
MAIN CONCERNS: DAMAGING WIND GUSTS & A FEW TORNADOES… There is high confidence that the main concern today will be damaging straight line winds. These winds often are responsible for causing trees to topple over. There could be a tornado or two across the region today, but the overall tornado risk is not exactly elevated. Obviously if a tornado comes down your street today, that is a big deal, even if there are only one or two involved in total across the region. Please have a way to receive urgent weather warnings and HEED the warning if you get a tornado warning OR a severe thunderstorm warning. Large hail, up to the size of a quarter, will be possible in the stronger storms. Isolated instances of flash flooding could become a concern if storms train over the same areas, although I don’t expect widespread flash flooding across the region.
EXTENDED STREAK OF SUNSHINE AHEAD… Thursday kicks off a long streak of days that will be warm, sunny, and quite nice. High temperatures Thursday will be near 80°. We rise into the mid-80s on Friday under full sunshine.
TEMPS REACH INTO THE 90s THIS WEEKEND… The hottest temperatures of the year 2020 so far are set to happen this weekend. High temperatures on Saturday, Sunday, and into Monday will be in the low-90s. Heat index values will likely approach the mid-90s at times. Be sure to grab the sunscreen if you’re going to be outside for long periods of time as we will have full sunshine in place for the entire weekend.
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… Many updates will be posted throughout the day in the RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Be sure to visit the Alerts tab (bottom right corner) and tap the large, yellow “Alert Settings” button to customize the alerts you’d like to receive from me. If you like a lot of info, be sure to toggle ON Low-Level Alerts.
See all the details in your Wednesday #rzw forecast video… I will have updates as needed throughout the day in the RedZone Weather app. As always, be sure to join us in live, long form video coverage if any tornado warnings are needed for our local area. Have a nice Wednesday!