P.M. SEVERE WEATHER RISK NOW MUCH LOWER… Good news! The rain that happened this morning across much of south Alabama and northwest Florida has substantially decreased the chances that severe weather will happen across our region on this Wednesday. See a list of communities that get an “all clear” below. The Level 2 (out of 5) risk has been completely cancelled today across the Deep South. Only the eastern half of our region remains in the lower-end, Level 1 risk zone with much of us now OUT of a severe weather risk completely.

LOW-END RISK OF A STRONGER STORM THIS EVENING… We will need to maintain a low-end severe weather risk zone for several counties in our region until at least early this evening to ensure that storms don’t fire up in these areas. I am confident that we probably won’t have any issues in these areas, but there are some scenarios that could produce a few stronger to marginally severe storms in these areas through 6PM or so. If you’re in any part of the following counties, the LOW-END risk continues for you for the next few hours: Covington, Crenshaw, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton. In addition, all counties in southeast Alabama/Wiregrass and the Florida Panhandle in areas east of Destin remain in the low-end severe weather risk zone.

ALL CLEAR FOR THESE AREAS… While it is early in the severe weather timeframe, cooler, more stable air is moving into Alabama a bit ahead of schedule. Thus, it is necessary to give a complete severe weather ALL CLEAR to all parts of the following counties as of 12:30PM: Baldwin, Escambia (FL), Mobile, Escambia (AL), Conecuh, Butler, Monroe, Washington, Clarke, Wilcox, Marengo, and Choctaw counties. There is now essentially no risk of severe weather in these areas. If you are in any part of those counties, you get an “all clear.”

We should be able to give Covington, Crenshaw, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton a complete all clear by 6PM at the absolute latest – probably well before then.

LEVEL 2 RISK CANCELLED… The Storm Prediction Center has eliminated the Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk today for all parts of the Deep South. It has been replaced by a lower-end, Level 1 (out of 5) marginal severe weather risk zone for much of east and southeast Alabama and the Florida Panhandle region. If you’re in an area that has not received an all clear just yet, most likely you’ll just have some rain over the next few hours. A stronger storm or two cannot completely be ruled out. We’ll keep watching radar trends.

WHAT TO EXPECT – NEXT FEW HOURS… Occasional rain, occasional thunder. Probably not much more than that. Drier air is already moving into all parts of Monroe, Washington, and Clarke counties. Temperatures will fall into the upper-60s in those counties over the next few hours after the cold front passes.

APP… Many updates will be posted throughout the day as needed 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.

I will have a complete all clear post for all areas a bit later unless we happen to need our live, nonstop video coverage. The odds of that happening are now very low. Have a good evening!

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!

LEVEL 2 RISK EXPANDED; STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY… The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk farther to the southwest to include more of our local area valid for Wednesday. The main concern in the stronger storms on Wednesday will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, and perhaps a tornado or two. There will be multiple waves of storms, with one happening in the late morning hours and another round set for the afternoon and evening hours. The morning round of storms likely will be weakening as it approaches our area from the west. The afternoon/early evening round of storms could be a bit more robust as it develops over our area and spreads eastward. Below are all the details.

LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) RISK LOCALLY… The Storm Prediction Center has included much of our area in their Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk. This means that scattered instances of severe storms will be possible, in this case mainly damaging straight line winds, large hail, and a tornado or two. The following communities are involved in the Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk valid on Wednesday: Mobile, Prichard, Saraland, Satsuma, Creola, Mt. Vernon, Citronelle, Gulf Crest, Wilmer, Theodore, Bayou La Batre, Bay Minette, Perdido, Stockton, Atmore, Poarch, Huxford, Brewton, 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, and McIntosh.

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.

LEVEL 1 RISK FOR N.W. FLORIDA & ALABAMA BEACHES… Nearly all of northwest Florida and much of the coastal stretches of Alabama are involved in the lower-end, Level 1 (out of 5) marginal severe weather risk on Wednesday. This is where severe storms may happen, but the overall risk is a bit lower. This zone includes Pensacola, 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. The Level 1 risk also includes ALL of the Florida Panhandle region.

WEDNESDAY – SEVERE WEATHER TIMING… 10AM to 10PM remains the twelve hour window when strong to severe storms are most likely to happen across south Alabama and northwest Florida. The core risk timeframe will be from 11AM to 7PM, meaning most (if not all) of the stronger storms should happen before sunset. After sunset, the atmosphere should quickly begin to stabilize across our region as instability values plummet behind the advancing cold front. We should be able to give everyone across our region an “all clear” before 11PM or perhaps much earlier in the evening!

MAIN CONCERNS: GUSTY WINDS & HAIL… The main concerns in the stronger thunderstorms on Wednesday will be gusty winds that could down a few trees across the region. Large hail up to the size of a quarter will also be possible. The overall tornado risk remains low. This means the tornado risk is NOT zero, but it does remain low. One or two tornadoes cannot be completely ruled out in an environment like this. As always, if we happen to have at tornado warning across our local area, we will provide uninterrupted live video coverage to bring you the very latest.

SUNSHINE RETURNS THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY… Full sunshine is likely on Thursday and Friday with high temperatures in the low-80s. Overnight lows will be in the mid-50s.

HOT WEEKEND AHEAD… Temperatures will be at their highest point locally so far in the year 2020 as we get into the upcoming weekend. High temperatures on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be in the low-90s. Some spots may actually hit the mid-90s on Sunday! This could be near record-setting heat for the early part of the month of May. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper-60s. Full sunshine is expected each day.

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.

NEXT UPDATE… I will have your next detailed video and text discussion posted by 7:15AM on Wednesday. Brief updates will be posted overnight as needed in the RedZone Weather app. See you in the morning!