STRONG STORMS POSSIBLE TONIGHT INTO EARLY THURSDAY… Much of the day on this Wednesday will be dry ahead of a chance of strong to severe storms later this evening and into the overnight hours. The greatest chance of a few strong to severe storms will happen closer to the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches, although we note there is a smaller chance of a few storms inland overnight as well. The main concerns in the stronger storms overnight will be the potential for a tornado or two, damaging wind gusts, and hail. Storms will exit the area early Thursday morning with lingering showers being possible into midday. Looking ahead, Friday is set to be quite cold ahead of slightly warmer temperatures this weekend. Your full Wednesday forecast details are below.
INCREASING CLOUDINESS TODAY; SHOWERS POSSIBLE… Clouds will gradually increase throughout the day. There could be a few isolated showers around as early as late this morning. Scattered showers will also be possible during the afternoon and evening hours. Rain chances will rise as we get into the evening hours after sunset. High temperatures will be in the upper-50s in many spots today, although we note temperatures could briefly rise into the 60s late tonight in areas closer to the immediate coast for a brief period ahead of the advancing cold front.
SEVERE WEATHER TIMING… 8PM tonight 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 remain 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, Bay Minette, 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, Mt. Vernon, Citronelle, Castleberry, Brewton, Atmore, Flomaton, 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 ongoing projections. A few tornadoes and damaging straight line winds will be the main concerns in any of the storms that can become severe. Hail will also be possible in the stronger storms.
COLD FRIDAY AHEAD… Cold air will surge into our region on Thursday evening, setting the stage for another night below freezing on Friday morning. High temperatures on Friday will be in the upper-40s across the region. Clouds should erode on Friday in the late morning hours meaning that the afternoon and early evening hours should be sunny.
MOSTLY SUNNY THIS WEEKEND… High temperatures will be in the low-60s this weekend with mostly sunny skies on both Saturday and on Sunday. A few clouds will likely return to our region late Sunday ahead of rain being possible on Monday.
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… 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 great day!