MARCO IMPACTS POSSIBLE MONDAY INTO MONDAY NIGHT LOCALLY… Impacts from Tropical Storm Marco will be possible across south Alabama and northwest Florida, particularly in coastal areas. Heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding, isolated tornadoes, gusty (25-35 mph) winds, storm surge, high surf, and rip currents will be possible. Inland impacts from Marco look less likely. In addition, we continue to track Tropical Storm Laura, located now near the eastern side of the Dominican Republic. Laura will likely emerge into the southeastern Gulf on Monday. IMPORTANT NOTE: Forecast confidence remains unusually low. Further significant changes for track and intensity guidance are not out of the question, especially for Tropical Storm Laura. Please check back in with me over the next few days as we continue to track these volatile tropical systems.
POTENTIAL LOCAL IMPACTS DUE TO MARCO IN SOUTH ALABAMA & NW FLORIDA… This is a significant change from previous forecasts, meaning I need your help to get the word out about this. Please mention a friend in the comments below! Based on the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, direct local impacts in south Alabama and northwest Florida because of Marco (which may be a strong tropical storm or hurricane as it approaches on Monday) will be possible. Rain chances will increase throughout the day on Monday, and there is a chance we may have to deal with isolated tornadoes, especially near the coast on Monday night into Tuesday. High surf, dangerous rip currents, coastal flooding, and perhaps minor storm surge may become an issue at the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches. High winds are unlikely across inland areas, but winds may gust up to 50 mph at the coast Monday night into Tuesday morning. Forecast confidence in these ideas remains low, and further significant changes are not out of the question. *Please* check in with me over the next 24-48 hours for the latest updates on Marco. Midweek, we may be dealing with some impacts because of Tropical Storm Laura. More details about Laura are below.
POTENTIAL LOCAL IMPACTS (LAURA) IN SOUTH ALABAMA & NW FLORIDA… Depending on the exact future track of Tropical Storm Laura, which will likely become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, potential local impacts may change. The latest forecast from NHC calls for the center of Laura to remain to our south, but impacts will be possible locally, especially at the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches on Wednesday into early Thursday. Gusty winds (25-35 mph), high waves, rip currents, isolated tornadoes, and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding will all be possible locally in coastal counties due to Laura. Inland areas may contend with heavy rain, breezy conditions (15-25 mph winds), and the potential for isolated tornadoes. Honestly, we need to see how the rapidly evolving situation with Marco plays out before we get specific with Laura BUT because of the expected timing with Laura moving into the Gulf on Monday, we do not have the luxury of ignoring the situation altogether. Big takeaway with expected local impacts because of Laura: Stay tuned!
TROPICAL STORM WATCH LOCALLY; HURRICANE WATCH FOR LA & MS… A Hurricane Watch continues for much of the Louisiana coastline and all of the Mississippi coastline this evening. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for all of Mobile and Baldwin counties in southwest Alabama as tropical storm force wind gusts will be possible, especially in coastal areas, due to Marco, on Monday into Monday night.
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I will have another highly detailed video and text discussion posted by 7:15AM on Sunday. See you in the morning!