HOT TUESDAY & LOW-END RAIN CHANCES; ERNESTO APPROACHING PUERTO RICO… Temperatures will again peak in the mid- to upper-90s later today with some spots briefly hitting the 100 degree mark. A Heat Advisory is in effect for all coastal counties. Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon into this evening, but I expect MOST communities across the region to remain dry. Storms that develop will be capable of producing localized downpours, loud thunder, quite a bit of lightning, and gusty winds in the strongest of the storms. Rain chances will gradually rise later this week with more P.M. storms each day.

TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO NEARING VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO… Potential Tropical Cyclone 5 formed a low-level center of circulation yesterday and was declared a tropical storm, taking the name Ernesto. The storm is moving through the northernmost Lesser Antilles where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. Impacts are also expected in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm will likely be an intensifying tropical storm as it moves through these islands. Ernesto also may bring serious impacts to Bermuda later this week and into the weekend. The good news is no direct impacts are expected in Alabama or northwest Florida.

GULF & CARIBBEAN QUIET FOR NOW… The Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea are not expected to support tropical storm formation over the next several days. The climatological peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season will happen on Wednesday, September 11.

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 Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.

See all the details in your Tuesday morning RedZone Weather forecast video. Have a nice day!

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Isolated showers and thunderstorms will become possible later today across south Alabama and northwest Florida but most of us across the region will remain dry. High temperatures will again be in the upper-90s.

Have a nice Tuesday!

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5pm AST August 12th — Here are the latest Key Messages for now Tropical Storm #Ernesto.

Expected to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of Leeward Islands tonight & tomorrow, moving into the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by late Tuesday.

Latest:… pic.twitter.com/GpQrC2SHyj

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 12, 2024

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Hot, dry day across the region! Temperatures are peaking near 95° in most spots. Humidity is not AS bad today.

— Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) August 12, 2024

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