SCATTERED STRONG STORMS THIS EVENING; HEAT INDEX VALUES AROUND 105° TODAY… Strong thunderstorms will be possible later today across much of Alabama. The risk from any pop-up thunderstorms that can become strong will be from damaging straight line winds. There is no discernible tornado risk today, thankfully, as is usually the case on these summer severe weather days. Thunderstorms will be most numerous and strongest in the afternoon and evening hours. There will be quite a bit of sunshine in the mix throughout the day as well. High temperatures will be in the low-90s today with heat index values around 105° this afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are likely again on Friday before slightly lower rain chances this weekend. A few more Thursday morning forecast notes are below.

LEVEL 2 (OUT OF 5) SEVERE WEATHER RISK JUST TO OUR NORTH TODAY… Much of central Alabama along with parts of Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas are involved in the Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone valid for today into this evening. A Level 2 (out of 5) risk means that scattered instances of severe storms will be possible. Most communities won’t have severe weather issues, but some probably will. This risk zone is driven exclusively by a slightly elevated risk of damaging wind gusts in the stronger storms that happen later today. Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Anniston, Montgomery, Demopolis, Selma, Livingston, Greensboro, Clinton, Wetumpka, Auburn, Union Springs, Phenix City, Alexander City, Lake Martin, Talladega, Roanoke, Valley, Camden, Butler, and surrounding areas are involved in this Level 2 risk zone. Again, this is a damaging wind risk zone and NOT a tornado risk zone. There is no formal tornado risk anywhere across Alabama or northwest Florida today.

LOW-END, LEVEL 1 (OUT OF 5) SEVERE WEATHER RISK LOCALLY TODAY… A lower-end, Level 1 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone is in place basically for all areas north of Interstate 10 today. A Level 1 (out of 5) severe weather risk means that widespread, significant severe weather is unlikely to happen but a few rogue, strong storms may be possible. The concern locally today will be storms capable of briefly becoming strong or severe and producing gusty winds. This Level 1 (out of 5) risk zone includes places like Greenville, Evergreen, Andalusia, Luverne, Troy, Brewton, Atmore, Monroeville, Grove Hill, Coffeeville, Chatom, Saraland, Satsuma, Bay Minette, Walnut Hill, Jay, Century, Berrydale, Munson, Laurel Hill, Opp, and Florala. Most of these communities and the surrounding communities will simply have rain and storms at times. One or two of the storms may cause a tree or two to be knocked down.

WEEKEND OUTLOOK: HOT, HUMID, A FEW P.M. STORMS… This weekend has a forecast that is just about as close as you can get to a “climatologically on point” forecast for this time of year, aka expect our “normal weather for this time of year” this weekend. High temperatures will be in the low-90s with heat index values closer to 100°. A few pop-up showers and thunderstorms will happen, primarily in the afternoon and evening hours, although a few morning storms can’t be ruled out. I will have updates posted this weekend as needed in the RedZone Weather app.

TROPICAL UPDATE: QUIET FOR NOW… The Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean are quiet with no tropical storms expected to form over the next 5 days. No signs, at the moment anyway, of any tropical mischief in the Gulf anytime in the next 2 weeks. That could change but let’s enjoy the good news in the tropics for now!

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.

See all the details in your Thursday #rzw forecast video. Have a great day!

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