NICE TUESDAY; SLIGHTLY HIGHER SEVERE WEATHER RISK P.M. WEDNESDAY… The Storm Prediction Center had upgraded the eastern part of our area into their Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk valid for Wednesday. Rain and thunderstorms are set to return to our local area tomorrow (Wednesday) as a cold front approaches from the northwest. While most areas locally will have some rain and perhaps some thunder, any strong to severe storms will be more of the anomaly than the overall trend. Gusty winds and hail are the main concerns in the stronger storms on Wednesday as the overall tornado risk remains low (not zero, but low!). Before we get to the active weather on Wednesday, we have a nice Tuesday on tap. High temperatures will peak in the mid-80s today under increasingly cloudy skies by the time we get into the evening hours. The good news regarding tomorrow’s severe weather potential is that it will be a low-end risk AND storms will move out of our area to the east by late tomorrow night meaning there should be no overnight severe weather issues. An extended streak of sunshine starts on Thursday! Let’s look at your forecast details.

INCREASING CLOUDINESS TODAY… Skies will be increasingly cloudy as the day continues on this Tuesday. I expect all of the rain to hold off until we get into Wednesday morning, meaning today will be dry.

WHAT TO EXPECT WEDNESDAY… For MOST across our region, this will be a good rain event with half an inch to one inch of rainfall being likely in most spots. There will be isolated higher and lower amounts, but most of us will fall into the 0.5”-1” range. There could be isolated strong to marginally severe thunderstorms. The greater risk of severe weather will likely be a bit farther to our east across the eastern part of Alabama and western Georgia.

LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) RISK… Inland areas on the eastern side of our region are now involved in the Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk valid for Wednesday. Locally, this includes parts of Escambia (AL), Covington, Conecuh, Monroe, and Butler counties. Much of east and southeast Alabama is also involved in this risk zone. This includes places like Andalusia, Opp, Red Level, Damascus, Evergreen, Brooklyn, Castleberry, Camden, Greenville, Georgiana, McKenzie, Dothan, Enterprise, Elba, Geneva, Samson, Daleville, Abbeville, Eufaula, Troy, Union Springs, Montgomery, Prattville, Selma, Hayneville, Wetumpka, Auburn, Opelika, Valley, Tuskegee, Alexander City, Lake Martin, Clanton, Maplesville, Roanoke, Heflin, Centre, Talladega, Sylacauga, Calera, Hoover, Leeds, Anniston, Gadsden, and surrounding areas.

LEVEL 1, LOW-END RISK… Much of our area remains involved in the Level 1 (out of 5) low-end severe weather risk zone. This includes places like Mobile, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview, Baker, Laurel Hill, Milton, Pace, Navarre, Jay, Whiting Field, Berrydale, Century, Molino, Warrington, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope, Silverhill, Robertsdale, Daphne, Spanish Fort, Bay Minette, Wilmer, Bayou La Batre, Dauphin Island, Citronelle, Mt. Vernon, Chatom, Wagerville, Leroy, Jackson, Grove Hill, Thomasville, Gilbertown, Silas, Butler, Sweet Water, Dixons Mills, and surrounding areas.

WEDNESDAY – SEVERE WEATHER TIMING… 10AM to 10PM will be 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.

See all the details in your Tuesday #rzw forecast video. Have a great day!

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ISOLATED STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY… Thunderstorms are ahead for Wednesday, primarily in the daytime hours, across south Alabama and northwest Florida as a cold front approaches from the northwest. The Storm Prediction Center has included ALL of our local area in their Level 1 (out of 5) low-end, marginal severe weather risk valid for Wednesday. This means that a stronger (or severe) storm or two cannot be completely ruled out. For most, this will be a rain event with some embedded thunderstorms. The main concerns in any of the stronger storms will be damaging wind gusts, hail, and perhaps a tornado or two. The overall tornado risk remains low, but not entirely zero. This means we need everyone to be “weather aware” on Wednesday in case your particular location goes under a tornado warning or severe thunderstorm warning. Let’s look at your details.

NICE & WARM ON TUESDAY… Before we get to Wednesday, a nice Tuesday is ahead. High temperatures will be in the low- to mid-80s across the region. Cloud coverage will increase throughout the day from west to east. Rain will likely hold off until we get to Wednesday morning.

WHAT TO EXPECT WEDNESDAY… For MOST across our region, this will be a good rain event with half an inch to one inch of rainfall being likely in most spots. There will be isolated higher and lower amounts, but most of us will fall into the 0.5”-1” range. There could be isolated strong to marginally severe thunderstorms, but those will be the anomaly in this situation and probably not widespread or numerous.

WEDNESDAY – SEVERE WEATHER TIMING… 10AM to 10PM will be 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 a tornado warning across our local area, we will provide uninterrupted live video coverage to bring you the very latest.

LOTS OF SUNSHINE LATER THIS WEEK; BUILDING HEAT… Thursday through Sunday will feature plenty of sunshine with increasing temperatures. We start on Thursday with highs in the 80s but end up in the MID-90s (!) by Sunday afternoon as a big ridge of high pressure builds into our region, allowing temperatures to soar to what will feel like summer!

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… Now is the time, long before we get to this severe weather potential, to set up the RedZone Weather app on your smartphone! redzoneweather.com/app is the link where you can download the iOS or Android version of the app. Once you have the app downloaded to your device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner of the app), then tap the large, yellow Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.

My next detailed forecast post will be available by 7:15AM tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. Have a great evening!

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SUNNY TODAY; STORMS LIKELY ON WEDNESDAY… Our streak of gorgeous, warm days is set to continue on this Monday ahead of a brief break in the nice weather coming up on Wednesday when storms will once again be possible across south Alabama and northwest Florida. High temperatures today will be in the upper-70s and near 80° in most spots across our region. Full sunshine will be in place all day. Partly cloudy skies are ahead for Tuesday. Clouds will be increasing in coverage ahead of higher rain chances on Wednesday. While the overall severe weather risk on Wednesday will be somewhat low, there could be a few strong to severe storms around at times. The core risk of this will happen in the afternoon hours when we have plenty of instability around our region. Let’s look at your forecast details.

STORMS SET UP TO OUR WEST ON TUESDAY… The Storm Prediction Center has much of the ArkLaTex region involved in their Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk valid for Tuesday. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible to our west in those areas ahead of an advancing cold front that will move into our region on Wednesday.

FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY… Isolated strong to marginally severe thunderstorms will be possible on Wednesday, primarily in the afternoon and evening hours, as a cold front marches southeast across our region. The main concerns in this severe weather event will be a few clusters of storms capable of producing damaging winds capable of knocking down a few trees. Large hail will also be possible. The overall tornado risk remains low, but not entirely zero. As always, if a tornado warning become required for any part of our local area (outlined extensively at redzoneweather.com/coverage), we will provide our long form, uninterrupted live severe weather coverage to bring you the very latest information.

SEVERE WEATHER TIMING – WEDNESDAY… 11AM to 7PM will be the 8 hour window when severe storms will be most likely to happen across south Alabama and northwest Florida. This will be the timeframe when instability values will be highest and there is at least a chance for “severe weather ingredients” to come together.

LOTS OF SUNSHINE LATER THIS WEEK; BUILDING HEAT… Thursday through Sunday will feature plenty of sunshine with increasing temperatures. We start on Thursday with highs in the 80s but end up in the MID-90s (!) by Sunday afternoon as a big ridge of high pressure builds into our region, allowing temperatures to soar to what will feel like summer!

REMEMBERING APRIL 27, 2011 – 9 YEARS AGO TODAY… Folks in Alabama and across the Deep South will never forget the generational super outbreak of tornadoes that happened nine years ago today on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. 252 Alabamians lost their lives, with 1,998+ injuries. We take a look back at April 27 in more detail here.

APP ALERTS… Now is the time to set up the RedZone Weather app on your smartphone! redzoneweather.com/app is the link where you can download the iOS or Android version of the app. Once you have the app downloaded to your device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner of the app), then tap the large, yellow Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.

My next detailed update will be posted later today. I’ll have plenty of updates throughout the day in the RedZone Weather app. Have a great Monday!

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