SEVERE WEATHER HAZARDS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON THRU EARLY SATURDAY… Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail will become possible this afternoon into this evening and then again overnight into Saturday morning. While not particularly likely, there is a conditional risk of a strong tornado or two before this severe weather event comes to an end tomorrow morning. Severe thunderstorms may become possible as early as this afternoon, particularly across parts of southwest Alabama as the first of what will be several clusters of storms moves through our region. Tornadoes and damaging wind gusts will be possible in the first round of thunderstorms. This first round of storms will be most likely to happen between 1PM and 10PM today. Another, distinct batch of thunderstorms may develop to our west across parts of Louisiana and Mississippi and push across our local area from 2AM to 9AM on Saturday morning. Please have a way to hear warnings over the next 24 hours and join me on Facebook Live and YouTube Live if/when tornado warnings are needed across south Alabama and northwest Florida.
SEVERE WEATHER TIMING – THRU TOMORROW MORNING… Thunderstorms are expected to develop across parts of southeast Mississippi and southwest Alabama from 1PM to 10PM today. These storms will be capable of producing tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, and quite a bit of lightning. Another batch of storms may develop to our west overnight into Saturday morning. This secondary batch of storms will cross the region from west to east. Confidence in this secondary round of storms has decreased, meaning there is more uncertainty as to if the second round of storms will actually happen. If it does happen, 2AM to 9AM Saturday morning is the time frame for the second round of storms.
MAIN CONCERNS: TORNADOES & DAMAGING WIND GUSTS… The Storm Prediction Center continues to include much of south Alabama and northwest Florida in their Level 2 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone valid for today into Saturday morning. A Level 2 (out of 5) risk means that scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible, with the potential for tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. Widespread flash flooding is not expected as rain totals with this event will probably be in the 1-2″ range in total. Keep in mind that not every community will experience severe weather issues tonight into Saturday. Many won’t, in fact. I will have radar updates posted throughout the day and into the night, as needed, in the RedZone Weather app.
COOLER AIR COMING TOMORROW EVENING… After the storms, cooler, drier air will surge into the region behind the advancing cold front. High temperatures on Sunday and Monday will be in the 60s with morning lows in the 40s on Sunday night into Monday morning. Mostly sunny skies are in the forecast for Sunday afternoon and 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 (top right corner) and tap the large Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.
I will have more updates posted throughout the day and into the night in the RedZone Weather app.
See all the details in your Friday morning RedZone Weather forecast video. Have a nice weekend!