120am – GOES-East Satellite loop showing Tropical Storm #Idalia moving over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Idalia is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane this morning.
π°οΈ Want to view more satellite imagery for Idalia? Check out this link: https://t.co/pgQ4XHOsNR pic.twitter.com/2bkR1xMjqZ
— NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) August 29, 2023
Showers and storms are pushing toward the northwest Florida coast from the Gulf.
You may hear some thunder or hear raindrops on the roof in places like Navarre, Tiger Point, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola Beach in the next hour. These storms are not severe, thankfully. pic.twitter.com/k79JEmPqn7
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 29, 2023
Loud storms have developed this evening near Uriah, Megargal, Goodway, Johnsonville, and Brooklyn. More consistent rainfall is also happening near Thomasville, Fulton, and Bashi in northern Clarke County.
Also seeing storms firing up near Pace, Pea Ridge (FL), and Gulf Shores. pic.twitter.com/79JJt5WBVR
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 29, 2023
IDALIA ALMOST A HURRICANE; HEADED TOWARD BIG BEND… Tropical Storm Idalia has strengthened today, to the point that the system is almost a hurricane as of 8:38PM. Maximum winds are near 70 mph. Idalia is explicitly forecast to become a major hurricane before landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Wednesday. Vehemently emphasizing: No signficant, direct local impacts are expected in south Alabama or northwest Florida west of Destin due to Idalia.
LOCAL IMPACTS DISCUSSION – SOUTH ALABAMA & N.W. FLORIDA… Confidence is now quite high that no significant, direct impacts will happen due to Tropical Storm Idalia in south Alabama or northwest Florida. Confidence continues to grow that potentially significant impacts will happen in parts of the Big Bend region and North Florida. There is NO discernible threat of tornadoes, high winds, or flooding across south Alabama or northwest Florida due to Tropical Storm Idalia. Our area is expected to be on the “better”/western side of the storm. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are LIKELY Tuesday into Wednesday across our local area but these are not associated with Idalia. An increased risk of rip currents will happen over the next several days at the Alabama and northwest Florida beaches.
WHAT TO EXPECT – SOUTH ALABAMA & N.W. FLORIDA… So no big impacts from the developing hurricane locally, great, what CAN we expect? In short, pop-up thunderstorms are likely over the next few days, mostly (although not exclusively) in the afternoon and evening hours. High temperatures will be way down from where we were last week with most spots peaking in the 88-90Β° range tomorrow and on Wednesday.
WHAT TO EXPECT – FLORIDA PANHANDLE REGION… The Florida Panhandle region extends from Walton County eastward to Tallahassee. This includes places like Panama City, Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, Marianna, Mexico Beach, Wewahitchka, Blountstown, Quincy, Chipley, Miramar Beach, Seaside, DeFuniak Springs, Carrabelle, Sopchoppy, and Tallahassee. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Mexico Beach to Indian Pass. A Hurricane Warning is in effect from Indian Pass south and east down into the Big Bend region and beyond. Significant impacts from Idalia in the Florida Panhandle will MOSTLY be limited to areas near the coast in Gulf, Franklin, and Wakulla counties. Heavy rain and flash flooding will be possible at times as the core of Idalia passes to the southeast. Tropical storm force winds (39-74 mph) will be possible, specifically in Gulf, Franklin, Liberty, Wakulla, and Leon counties. Hurricane force winds are more likely from Jefferson and Taylor counties and points south and east. Isolated tornadoes cannot completely be ruled out in the Florida Panhandle although the more significant tornado threat will happen along and EAST of the center of circulation. 3 to 5 feet of storm surge is expected from Mexico Beach to the Ochlockonee River, including near places like Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, Indian Pass, Cape San Blas, and Carrabelle. Note that this impacts forecast for the Florida Panhandle is subject to change depending on the exact future track of Idalia. Impacts may end up being a bit more significant or less significant depending on the exact future track of the storm.
EXTREME IMPACTS EXPECTED IN BIG BEND REGION… An extremely dangerous 8 to 12 foot storm surge is forecast for parts of the Big Bend region of Florida, specifically for the coastline of Jefferson (FL), Taylor, Dixie, Levy, and Citrus counties in Florida. This extreme inundation poses a direct threat to human life! If you know someone in these counties, CALL THEM and tell them to heed the evacuation orders in place. This part of Florida is mostly swamp land with VERY low elevation subject to a potentially far-reaching and major storm surge. This area has not had a major hurricane in many, many years. Extreme wind impacts with major hurricane force winds (115+ mph) will be possible. 5-8 inches of rainfall is forecast, meaning flooding will be a concern. Tornadoes will also be possible in the Big Bend region and across the Florida Peninsula. I am EXTREMELY concerned for folks in this area! Please heed evacuation orders if you get one.
HURRICANE WARNING & STORM SURGE WARNING FOR BIG BEND AND TAMPA BAY… A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Longboat Key to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay. This includes Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Sopchoppy, St. Marks, Perry, Horseshoe Beach, Cedar Key, Crystal River, Homosassa, New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, and Clearwater. In addition to the Hurricane Warning, a Storm Surge Warning is now in effect from Englewood to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect south of Longboat Key (south of the Hurricane Warning) to Chokoloskee. A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect from Indian Pass to Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle.
APP… If you havenβt 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 a full update on Idalia in the morning in the regularly scheduled RedZone Weather forecast video that will be posted by 7:15AM. Have a nice Monday evening!
Long post detailing specifics of what you can expect with soon-to-be Hurricane #Idalia here: https://t.co/mZ2p2bC359 pic.twitter.com/CgillmjExl
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 29, 2023
#Franklin's central pressure is down to 926 hPa – the lowest central pressure for a #hurricane this far north (29Β°N) in the open Atlantic (e.g., not Gulf of Mexico) on record. Atlantic pressure records have been recorded consistently since 1979. pic.twitter.com/ebKoQf4Au7
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) August 28, 2023
Numerous thunderstorms are happening across parts of Mobile, northern Baldwin, Clarke, Washington, and Walton counties this evening.
These storms are producing heavy pockets of rain and quite a bit of lightning.
More storms will likely fire up on Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/VrLz1Gvlii
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
#Franklin and #Idalia are forecast to be major #hurricanes at the same time on Wednesday. If that verifies, it will be only the 3rd year on record (since 1851) where the Atlantic has had simultaneous major hurricanes in August. The other two years are: 1886 and 1893. pic.twitter.com/zUKMVqW7WY
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) August 28, 2023
Clouds over Flomaton, AL. βοΈ@NWSMobile @spann @rzweather @michaelwhitewx @ThomasGeboyWX @WKRGEd @AlanSealls @KDanielCCI @StormHour @ThePhotoHour #ALwx pic.twitter.com/s3EYEwEQ4r
— ππππππππ’ πππππππ (@brittykat94) August 28, 2023
Some hints of what to expect in the big bendβ¦the record storm surge across most of the big bend is around 12 feet. What you probably donβt know is it was not from a tropical system! It was from the 1993 Storm of the Century which resulted in numerous fatalities. pic.twitter.com/Kgy2FfjQl0
— Brandon Black (@backinblack_wx) August 28, 2023
#Idalia continues to become better organized this evening. A Hurricane Warning is now in effect from Indian Pass, FL southward to Longboat Key, including Tampa Bay.
Idalia is expected to be a major hurricane before landfall in the Big Bend region on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/ACytTSZMhX
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
WEATHER ALERT… Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Walton-FL & Washington-FL Counties until 4:45 PM.
Product issued by the National Weather Service TAE at 3:59 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023 and is valid until 4:45 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023.
Thunderstorms continue to pop up across the region on this Monday evening. Heavy pockets of rain are happening near Daphne, Fairhope, Stockton, Wilmer, Citronelle, Mexia, Frisco City, Fulton, and Grove Hill.
More storms will pop up over the next several hours. pic.twitter.com/9D1tCfjYzl
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
MORE STORMS DEVELOPING… While several severe thunderstorms happen across east Alabama, we are watching more small showers and thunderstorms begin to pop up across south Alabama this afternoon.
Rain is happening near Huxford, Uriah, Chunchula, and Wilmer. These pop-up storms could become stronger over the next hour or so.
WEATHER ALERT… Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Barbour-AL & Bullock-AL Counties until 2:45 PM.
Product issued by the National Weather Service BMX at 2:07 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023 and is valid until 2:45 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023.
WEATHER ALERT… Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Elmore-AL & Tallapoosa-AL Counties until 2:45 PM.
Product issued by the National Weather Service BMX at 2:01 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023 and is valid until 2:45 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023.
WEATHER ALERT… Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Tallapoosa-AL County until 2:30 PM.
Product issued by the National Weather Service BMX at 1:52 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023 and is valid until 2:30 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023.
While we diligently monitor soon-to-be Hurricane #Idalia, the max. winds of Hurricane #Franklin have increased to 145 mph. Franklin is now a category 4 hurricane!
Franklin will likely pass just west of Bermuda before turning NE in the Atlantic Ocean. No direct threat to land. pic.twitter.com/uD1jHBVFYL
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
WEATHER ALERT… Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Bullock-AL, Macon-AL & Montgomery-AL Counties until 2:00 PM.
Product issued by the National Weather Service BMX at 1:12 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023 and is valid until 2:00 PM CDT Monday, August 28, 2023.
Tropical Storm #Idalia is on the cusp of becoming a hurricane this afternoon. 1PM NHC advisory indicates max. winds are at 70 mph.
Hurricane Warnings posted along the Florida coast from Longboat Key northward to the Ochlockonee River, including Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/XzCb6YdkSE
β Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
Highly populated Pinellas County, FL near Tampa has issued a mandatory evacuation order for low-lying areas ahead of #Idalia. https://t.co/J1puTzGq7j
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
This is the line for gas at @Costco in Sarasota right now, easily several hundred cars in line. People are not taking chances here not having gas after #Idalia hits, we remember what it was like after Ian last year. #FLwx @spann pic.twitter.com/xReQUGNNBt
— Ray Loewe (@rloewe65) August 28, 2023
Numerous showers and thunderstorms continue to pop up this afternoon across south Alabama and northwest Florida.
These storms are not moving much at all. Heavy downpours likely in the hours ahead in many communities across the region. pic.twitter.com/H8j82LtHMw
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
Heavy pockets of rain and loud storms continue in parts of Butler, Covington, Santa Rosa, & Okaloosa counties as we approach midday.
Storms near Oaky Streak, Andalusia, Carolina, Wing, Baker, Munson, & Allentown are producing quite a bit of lightning.
P.M. pop-up storms likely! pic.twitter.com/xs1otsRsN0
— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 28, 2023
