SCATTERED STORMS TODAY; FEW TORNADOES POSSIBLE IN NORTH ALABAMA TODAY… While widespread severe thunderstorms are not expected across the southern half of Alabama or northwest Florida today, there could be a few strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado or two across the northern tier of Alabama later today. The risk of tornadoes will be greatest along and northwest of Interstate 59. Locally, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected locally at times. High temperatures will approach the 90 degree mark. We’re also tracking two tropical waves that may become our next tropical storms in the Atlantic Basin. Let’s look at all of your forecast details.
LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) SEVERE WEATHER RISK TO OUR NORTH… A few tornadoes may become possible later today across north Alabama. The remnant circulation of what was Hurricane Laura is now moving northeast. This circulation will act as a catalyst for thunderstorms to rotate later today. The risk is a Level 2 (out of 5) tornado risk today for areas north of Interstate 59. This includes Huntsville, Cullman, Jasper, Fayette, Hamilton, Double Springs, Decatur, Moulton, Muscle Shoals, Florence, Russellville, and Scottsboro. We note a low-end, Level 1 (out of 5) marginal severe weather risk is in place for Birmingham, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Livingston, and surrounding areas. No part of the southern half of Alabama or northwest Florida is involved in the formal severe weather risk zone today.
WATCHING TWO TROPICAL WAVES IN THE ATLANTIC… We continue to monitor two tropical waves in the Atlantic Ocean.The National Hurricane Center says there is a 20-30% chance that two, separate tropical storm may form near the Leeward Islands early next week. Regardless of development, any potential impacts to the continental U.S. are still over a week away, and there is no way to know whether U.S. impacts will happen at this point. Something to watch over the next few days. We’ll bring you the latest in the RedZone Weather app.
DECAYING LAURA TO OUR NORTH… The National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory last evening on Tropical Depression Laura, formerly the powerful category 4 hurricane that made landfall in southwest Louisiana early Thursday morning. Laura will continue to produce heavy rain with an ongoing isolated tornado risk into the Mid-Atlantic region on Saturday.
SCATTERED STORMS THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK… Consistency remains the word in terms of our local forecast. Scattered thunderstorms will be likely over the next few days, mainly in the afternoon and evening hours. Not everyone will have rain each day, but some spots could have heavy rain at times. Loud thunder and cloud-to-ground lightning will also be possible in the stronger storms. High temperatures will be near 90 over the next several days with morning lows in the mid-70s.
APP… If you haven’t already, be sure to download the free RedZone Weather app to keep up with all the latest information on the world of weather in south Alabama and northwest Florida. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Once you have the app downloaded to your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner) and 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 Friday #rzw forecast video… Have a great weekend!