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!