STRONG STORMS PUSHING IN FROM THE EAST… Loud thunderstorms are pushing in from the east on this Tuesday evening. Note that this is a *separate* cluster of thunderstorms from the storms that are expected to come from the east TOMORROW. We have a formal risk of damaging wind gusts tomorrow (Wednesday) evening as a cluster of storms moves in from the east. Storms this evening are producing gusty (30-40 mph) winds, intense lightning, and heavy rain. At the time I am posting this update at 7:08PM, storms are happening near Greenville, Georgiana, McKenzie, Evergreen, Andalusia, Red Level, Opp, Onycha, Carolina, and Florala. This band of storms is drifting southwest at about 20 mph.
THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY EVENING MAY BE SEVERE… The MCS (mesoscale convective system), a fancy definition for a cluster of thunderstorms, expected to move into our area tomorrow may look quite similar to what is happening today. Storms are expected to start over southern Georgia and gradually push to the WEST. This is different than our “normal” weather pattern when storms move out of the west and move eastward. The Storm Prediction Center continues to include our local area in their Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk for Wednesday evening. This means that scattered severe storms will be possible. The main concern remains damaging straight line winds. The tornado risk remains very low. More details about the severe weather risk setting up for tomorrow can be found here.
TROPICAL UPDATE… There continues to be a 40% chance of a new tropical storm forming in the western Caribbean Sea over the next few days. Here is the 2PM EDT discussion from the National Hurricane Center: “Satellite imagery and surface observations indicate that a small area of low pressure has formed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, accompanied by disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Further development of this system is possible while it drifts northwestward near the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras, and it could become a tropical depression later this week if the disturbance remains over water. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate this system tomorrow if necessary. Regardless of development, the low could produce periods of heavy rainfall across portions of eastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras through late this week.”
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.
I will have more updates posted throughout the evening in the RedZone Weather app. My next detailed forecast video will be posted by 7:15AM tomorrow morning. Have a nice Tuesday evening!