SCATTERED SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY MORNING… Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning as a cold front moves across our region. Unfortunately, this appears to be setting up as a mostly nighttime severe weather risk. A few tornadoes and damaging wind gusts will be the main concerns, in addition to the potential for heavy rain at times. Be sure to join me in the morning video over the next few days for the very latest on this developing severe weather potential. More details are below.
LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) RISK… The Storm Prediction Center has included parts of Baldwin, Mobile, Escambia (AL), Escambia (FL), Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in their Level 2 (out of 5) slight severe weather risk valid for Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. This means that scattered instances of severe storms will be possible, including a risk of a few tornadoes. This Level 2 risk currently includes places like Mobile, Pensacola, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Bay Minette, Dauphin Island, Bayou La Batre, Theodore, Wilmer, Prichard, Saraland, Satsuma, Chickasaw, Mt. Vernon, Citronelle, Bay Minette, Atmore, Flomaton, Brewton, East Brewton, Milton, Century, Bratt, Pace, Jay, Berrydale, Crestview, Baker, Milligan, Niceville, and surrounding areas. Keep in mind that the risk zones will be adjusted in the days ahead to better reflect the latest model guidance for the severe storm potential.
LEVEL 1 (OUT OF 5) RISK FARTHER INLAND… A lower-end, Level 1 (out of 5) severe weather risk is in place for communities farther inland. These areas could have a few strong to severe storms, but the risk is lower compared to areas farther south. This Level 1 risk zone includes Andalusia, Opp, Florala, Carolina, Red Level, Evergreen, Castleberry, Greenville, Georgiana, McKenzie, Lenox, Repton, Range, Owassa, Monroeville, Excel, Frisco City, Beatrice, Uriah, Tunnel Springs, Peterman, Grove Hill, Jackson, Coffeeville, Whatley, Chatom, Millry, Leroy, McIntosh, Vinegar Bend, Yarbo, and surrounding areas.
SEVERE WEATHER – TIMING… Some adjustments may be possible in the days ahead. Right now, the model consensus points to 8PM Wednesday to 8AM Thursday being the 12 hour window when strong to severe thunderstorms will be most likely to happen across south Alabama and northwest Florida. Storms will move from west to east across our region.
WIND CHILLS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS IN WEST ALABAMA OVERNIGHT… Tonight will be one of the coldest, if not the coldest, night of the year for our local area. Air temperatures near 20 degrees by daybreak on Tuesday combined with a brisk wind out of the northwest at 10-15 mph will make the air feel *extremely* cold. Wind chill values as low as 3 to 5 degrees will be possible across parts of northern Washington, northern Clarke, and Choctaw counties in west Alabama. Most spots locally will have wind chill values in the 10s. Black ice will be a concern on local roadways overnight and into Tuesday morning. If you missed my post earlier about this, be sure to check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/rzweather/posts/1817868421704822
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.
I will have your next forecast video posted by 7:15AM tomorrow morning. Have a great evening and please stay warm!