ISOLATED STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY NIGHT… A few strong to severe thunderstorms may become possible on Wednesday night as another cold front moves across our region. A few tornadoes and damaging wind gusts will be the main concerns as this complex of rain and storms moves by. The risk of severe storms is greater for communities closer to the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches compared to communities farther inland. This will likely set up as an overnight severe weather event, meaning we need you to have a way to get urgent weather warnings before you go to sleep tomorrow night. A few more Tuesday evening forecast notes are below.
SEVERE WEATHER TIMING… 8PM Wednesday to 8AM Thursday will be the 12 hour window when storms will be most likely to happen. 10PM to 4AM will be the core risk time for south Alabama and northwest Florida. Please have a way to receive urgent weather warnings before you go to sleep Wednesday night.
LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) RISK LOCALLY… Coastal counties and Escambia County, AL are involved in the Level 2 (out of 5) slight severe weather risk where a few scattered strong to severe storms may happen on Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. 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.
LOWER-END 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.
MAIN CONCERNS: TORNADOES & DAMAGING WIND GUSTS… Keep in mind that the vast majority of our communities across south Alabama and northwest Florida will exclusively have some rain on Wednesday night, perhaps with heavy rain at times. The severe weather issues will likely be limited to areas closer to the coast and near the I-10 corridor, based on current projections. A few tornadoes and damaging straight line winds will be the main concerns in any of the storms that can become severe.
LOW TEMPS BELOW FREEZING AGAIN TONIGHT… Another very cold night is ahead for our region with overnight lows expected to be in the mid-20s by sunrise on Wednesday morning. Coastal areas will be in the upper-20s. Most locations inland will have at least 6-8 hours of below freezing temperatures, thus it is critical that we bring in outdoor pets and sensitive plants. Temperatures will rebound into the upper-50s by Wednesday afternoon.
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 detailed forecast video and text discussion posted by 7:15AM tomorrow morning. Have a nice Tuesday evening!