TORNADO RISK BEGINNING TO DECREASE; FEW SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON… The overall tornado risk across southwest Alabama and northwest Florida is beginning to significantly decrease as a complex of showers and storms continues to push eastward across our region. The Tornado Watch that was in effect for the entire region is being cancelled from west to east as this line of storms moves through. After this main batch of storms moves through your location, the atmosphere will become much more stable. We could have a few showers around this afternoon into this evening, and while there is a very high probability that we have seen the worst of the tornadic activity earlier this morning, I won’t be able to give the entire region a complete “all clear” until later this evening, just because there is a very, very low end chance that a few storms this afternoon could rotate and potentially produce gusty winds and maybe a tornado. So again, just to clarify, we’re going from low risk this morning to very, very low risk this afternoon. We’ll be able to have “zero risk/all clear” by 6PM tonight most likely.
SEVERE WEATHER RISK TO OUR NORTH & EAST THIS EVENING… There is now a Level 2 (out of 5) tornado risk in place for much of east Alabama and western Georgia in the hours ahead, driven by the potential for a few tornadoes throughout the day as the core of Hurricane Delta continues to pass to our northwest. This includes places like Montgomery, Auburn, Dothan, Enterprise, Troy, Eufaula, Alexander City, and surrounding areas.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION DELTA MOVING NORTHEAST… Hurricane Delta was downgraded to tropical storm status at 1AM this morning, followed by the downgrade to tropical depression status moments ago at 10AM. The center of Delta as of the latest 10AM advisory is located about 65 miles north-northwest of Jackson, Mississippi. Delta continues to rapidly move northeast at 16 mph. Maximum sustained winds are now at 35 mph. Delta will continue to weaken and likely become a remnant low tonight or tomorrow.
20% CHANCE OF TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT… This system probably won’t develop, but even if it does, it won’t be a tropical storm that lasts very long most likely. From NHC: “A westward moving tropical wave is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean. Slow development of this system could be possible later this weekend or early next week while the wave continues moving westward at 15 to 20 mph. Upper-level winds are forecast to become unfavorable for further development by the middle of next week.”
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.
We will have live tornado warning coverage as needed throughout the day. In addition, plenty more updates will be posted in the RedZone Weather app. Be looking for an “all clear” message later this evening when we can say goodbye once and for all to Hurricane Delta and its tornado impacts for our local area.