ETA WELL TO OUR EAST; CLOUDS MOVING OUT TODAY… Get ready for an extended streak of nice, quiet, dry weather locally. I am seeing lots of sunshine in our forecast after today. Lingering clouds will move out by midday, paving the way for a nice, warm afternoon with high temperatures near 80. Temperatures will remain above our climatological norms for this time of year through Sunday ahead of the arrival of a cold front slated to move by early Monday morning. Highs on Monday will drop into the upper-60s and near 70. We gave the final “all clear” for south Alabama and northwest Florida from Tropical Storm Eta yesterday at 4PM CST as the core of Eta is now moving through north and central Florida. Eta will become extratropical in a few days as the system moves northeast over the Atlantic Ocean. We’re also tracking a disturbance in the Caribbean Sea that has a very high (90%) chance of becoming a tropical storm (will take the name Iota) as the system moves west toward Central America. All of your Thursday forecast details are below.
TROPICAL STORM ETA – NORTH FLORIDA… Tropical Storm Eta is well east of our local area, currently impacting parts of north and central Florida. Eta will weaken quickly today as the center of circulation continues to move northeast. Eta will move over the western Atlantic Ocean before becoming extratropical in a few days. Significant local impacts from Eta in south Alabama and northwest Florida will not happen, other than the ongoing potential for dangerous rip currents at local beaches.
INVEST 98L IN CARIBBEAN LIKELY TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM… An unprecedented 30th named tropical storm of this hyperactive hurricane season is likely to form in the Caribbean Sea over the next 2-3 days. Right now, this tropical wave is branded as INVEST 98L. The National Hurricane Center indicates there is now a 90% chance of development. It will take the name “Iota” if and when the storm formally develops. Early model guidance points to this system being an issue for parts of Nicaragua and Honduras. This is not good news considering these areas were just significantly affected by Eta when that storm was a major hurricane only a week or so ago. Right now, U.S. impacts seem increasingly UNLIKELY from this system. We’ll keep watching the data and bring you the latest over the next few days.
TROPICAL STORM THETA IN EASTERN ATLANTIC… Theta continues to move eastward as a tropical storm over the remote eastern part of the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical Storm Theta will not ever be a direct threat to any part of North America. The storm is expected to dissipate by early next week.
SUNNY, DRY CONDITIONS IN EXTENDED TERM… Now that Tropical Storm Eta is not a direct threat to our local area, we have significantly altered the expected chances of rain each day. I can’t completely rule out a shower or two on Sunday, but other than that, we have sunny, dry conditions ahead for the next 7-10 days. I do not see any frontal systems or tropical systems (thankfully!) that will be catalysts for rainfall.
COOLER AIR ARRIVES ON MONDAY… Cooler temperatures are set to arrive on Sunday night into Monday as a cold front passes through our region. High temperatures on Sunday will be in the low-80s but as cooler air arrives Monday morning, temperatures won’t be able to recover that much. High temperatures may struggle to hit 70 on Monday with most spots probably ending up in the mid- to upper-60s. Morning lows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the upcoming week will be in the 40s.
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 Wednesday #rzw forecast video. Have a wonderful day!
