MOSTLY SUNNY TODAY; FEW SHOWERS TO OUR WEST… Other than a few tiny showers across west Alabama this afternoon into this evening, vast majority of us across south Alabama and northwest Florida will remain dry today and this weekend. A Fire Danger Advisory is now in effect for the entirety of our local area as conditions remain dry, hot, and supportive for local wildfires (see more details about this important advisory below). This weekend will probably feature the first named storm of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season developing in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. That system, which will likely become a tropical storm or subtropical storm, would take the name “Arthur.” Separate from “Arthur-to-be,” we’re also looking at a very low-end chance that we could have a tropical depression spin up in the western Gulf of Mexico south of Louisiana and Texas early next week. Let’s look at your forecast details.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION EXPECTED TO FORM IN S.W. ATLANTIC… The National Hurricane Center continues to indicate there is a high (80+%) chance that a tropical storm or subtropical storm will form near or just north of The Bahamas and move northeast over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This system will likely remain well offshore from the eastern United States coastline, but there will be impacts like rip currents and dangerous high surf at the Atlantic beaches.
VERY LOW-END RISK OF TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN WESTERN GULF… An area of low pressure will develop over Texas later this weekend into early next week and likely move eastward toward our local area, perhaps causing rain chances to be slightly higher on Monday. Some models have suggested this system could briefly exist over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico as a tropical depression. The latest guidance suggests this is an outlier scenario for now. The more likely scenario is that this system will be weak as it moves eastward across Louisiana and southern Mississippi into our area. Any rain on Monday will be beneficial as much of our area is now involved in considerable drought conditions.
MOSTLY SUNNY, WARM WEEKEND… Saturday and Sunday will feature mostly sunny skies across our region with high temperatures near the 90 degree mark. There could be a few passing clouds and maybe a shower or two. Unfortunately, showers will be widely spaced and very small and isolated in nature.
SHOWERS POSSIBLE MONDAY; MORE SUNSHINE NEXT WEEK… Rain chances will likely be at their peak next week on Monday locally as an area of low pressure moves by. Sunny skies and slightly cooler (highs in the 80s instead of near 90°) are expected as we get into the middle part of the upcoming week.
FIRE DANGER ADVISORY… Please do NOT burn yard debris today or this weekend. A Fire Danger Advisory is now in effect through the weekend and into early next week. “Effective immediately, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has issued a Fire Danger Advisory for 15 counties in south Alabama including Baldwin, Choctaw, Coffee, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington. Dry conditions, combined with low humidity, high temperatures, and gusty winds are creating dangerous wildfire behavior.”
APP… If you haven’t already downloaded the RedZone Weather app, now is a great time to do that. redzoneweather.com/app is the link to the free download. Once you have the RZW app installed on your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab to turn on the specific notifications you’d like to receive. All notifications are handcrafted by me. No automation and we promise not to bug you!
See all the details in your Friday #rzw forecast video. Have a great weekend!