MORE SHOWERS & STORMS TODAY; ELSA IN THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF… Rain and thunderstorms will be possible across the local area today, particularly this afternoon into this evening. Our area remains firmly involved in a warm, humid airmass where atmospheric moisture content remains prolific. High temperatures on this Tuesday will be in the mid-80s. Tropical Storm Elsa is now centered in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, near the Florida Keys. Elsa will continue moving north today before making landfall somewhere along the western coast of the Florida Peninsula in the next 24-36 hours. Heavy rain, tornadoes, and gusty winds near the immediate western coast of the Florida Peninsula are expected today, tonight, and into Wednesday. Significant local impacts from Elsa are not expected in south Alabama or northwest Florida. A few more Tuesday morning forecast details are below.
RAIN AND STORMS LIKELY AT TIMES EACH DAY THIS WEEK… Daily showers and thunderstorms will continue to be a fixture of our forecast for at least the next 7 days. Showers and storms will be most numerous in the afternoon and evening hours, although because of the ongoing prolific moisture content in the atmosphere, there is a real chance for a few showers and storms overnight and in the morning hours each day as well. High temperatures will continue to be in the mid- to upper-80s with morning lows in the lower-70s each day.
EARLY LOOK AT THE UPCOMING WEEKEND… We may get somewhat of a break from rain and storms on Saturday. Rain chances will not be zero, but chances will be overall a bit lower on Saturday due to a slot of drier air moving into our region. Showers and storms will become more numerous on Sunday. High temperatures this weekend will be near 90 with morning lows around 72.
ELSA NOW IN SOUTHEASTERN GULF; FLORIDA PENINSULA HAZARDS… Tropical Storm Elsa crossed Cuba yesterday. The center of circulation has since emerged into the Florida Straits, aka the southeastern Gulf of Mexico near Key West, Florida. The center of Elsa is expected to continue to move north today before making a northeasterly turn into the Florida Peninsula tomorrow morning. Tornadoes will be possible across the Florida Peninsula along and east of the center of Elsa later today into tonight and Wednesday. Heavy rain, isolated flash flooding, and minor storm surge will also be concerns along the western Gulf Coast region of the Florida Peninsula.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR WESTERN COAST OF FLORIDA PENINSULA… A Tropical Storm Warning continues this morning from the Florida Keys northward through Naples, Fort Myers, Tampa Bay, and into the Big Bend region of Florida.
NO SIGNIFICANT ELSA IMPACTS LOCALLY… Just to reiterate in case you missed this over the last few days, we are not expecting significant, local impacts in south Alabama or northwest Florida due to Tropical Storm Elsa. The overall risk of rip currents is expected to be elevated at the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches in the days ahead.
ATLANTIC BASIN QUIET OTHER THAN ELSA… Outside of Tropical Storm Elsa, currently located in the southeastern Gulf, the remaining parts of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean are quiet with no new tropical storms expected to develop over the next 5 days.
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See all the details in your Tuesday morning #rzw forecast video. Have a great day!