SIGNIFICANT ROUND OF SEVERE STORMS THIS WEEKEND… RZW Exec members, good Tuesday morning! We have a potentially significant round of severe weather ahead for Saturday, January 11. The Storm Prediction Center has introduced a rare, Level 3 (out of 5) enhanced risk zone **five days out** from this potential event. I am growing increasingly concerned about the possibility of a few significant/strong tornadoes across parts of the Deep South (including Alabama & NW Florida) on Saturday, although I will refrain (for now) from using that specific language in our public forecast messaging to ensure model trends and guidance continues to show that potential closer to the event. There still is plenty of time for the trends to show a weaker solution. There also is a potential for a stronger event that would support the need for further outlook upgrades across our area. Please let this message serve as a very early “heads up” that we could have a hazardous round of severe weather with tornadoes being the primary concern. Here is the information I will be posting publicly within the hour.
OUTLOOK UPGRADE: LEVEL 3 ENHANCED SEVERE WEATHER RISK FOR SATURDAY… The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded much of Alabama, Mississippi, and parts of northwest Florida and Louisiana into their Level 3 (out of 5) enhanced severe weather risk zone valid for Saturday. Parameters continue to suggest an increasing chance of hazards, including tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, flash flooding, and large hail. While details are still coming into focus, there is increasing confidence that this could be a significant severe weather event with a potentially enhanced tornado risk across parts of the Deep South.
SEVERE WEATHER TIMING SATURDAY… This is HIGHLY subject to change, so please check back with me in the days ahead. Right now, our best estimate of when severe weather will be most likely across our region in south Alabama and northwest Florida will be during the daytime hours of SATURDAY, January 11. Further data may cause that timeframe to be changed. In addition, rain will begin long before the risk of strong to severe storms. Rain is likely across our area at times on Friday.
APP ALERTS… Many consistent updates will be posted over the next few days in the RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Be sure to visit the Alerts tab (bottom right corner) and tap the large, yellow “Alert Settings” button to customize the alerts you’d like to receive from me. Everyone should toggle ON Medium-Level Alerts. If you like a lot of info, be sure to toggle ON Low-Level Alerts.
I’ll have more details and updates in the RedZone Weather app later today. Let me know if you have any questions. Have a good Tuesday afternoon!