FEW STORMS POSSIBLE TODAY; SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE SUNDAY… Clouds will increase in coverage on this Wednesday with a few showers and storms becoming possible later today. The overall rain chance for any given spot remains low (20% chance or so) today. High temperatures will again peak in the mid- to upper-80s. We will have multiple chances of rain over the next few days, but our focus has now shifted to Easter Sunday when we could have a round of strong to severe thunderstorms, including potentially a tornado threat. Model guidance continues to become a bit more consistent in suggesting that storms could be on the strong side. Now is a good time to review your severe weather safety plans and know where you would go and what you would do if a tornado warning is required for your location. Again, no severe weather issues are expected through Saturday, but Sunday could be quite active. Let’s look at all of your forecast details.
SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TO OUR NORTH TODAY… The far northern stretches of Alabama are involved in a Level 2 (out of 5) slight severe weather risk today. This risk extends into parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky as well. The concern is that multiple clusters of storms may form and produce damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes. The following locations are involved in this slightly higher risk zone across parts of north Alabama: Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Athens, Ardmore, Russellville, Hamilton, Double Springs, Moulton, Boaz, Ft. Payne, Scottsboro, and surrounding areas. If you happen to be traveling north today, be aware of this slightly higher risk zone.
LOW-END RISK OF SEVERE STORMS INLAND TODAY… The Storm Prediction Center has opted to include the northern part of our local area in their low-end, Level 1 (out of 5) marginal severe weather risk zone. This is driven by the very low-end risk of a few stronger storms that could be capable of producing gusty winds and hail. The overall tornado risk locally today is near zero in most spots, and very low inland.
WHAT TO EXPECT LOCALLY – TODAY… Mostly cloudy skies and warm temperatures are on tap for most of us across south Alabama and northwest Florida today. There could be a few showers and storms (20-30% chance) across inland areas later today, but I expect vast majority of us to remain dry.
WARM THURSDAY WITH A FEW SHOWERS LATE… Tomorrow (Thursday) will be quite similar to today with warm temperatures and mainly cloudy skies. While I can’t completely rule out a few showers, just like today, vast majority of us will remain dry.
SHOWERS & STORMS POSSIBLE FRIDAY MORNING… Model guidance is consistent in supporting the idea for a few showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms early (1AM to 6AM) on Friday morning as a cold front moves across our region. This front will usher in noticeably cooler temperatures on Friday as winds shift out of the northwest. The daytime hours of Friday should be mostly dry.
COOLER TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY… If you’re ready for a brief break from the heat, there is good news in store for you! Cooler air will move in behind a cold front early Friday morning, paving the way for afternoon high temperatures to only top out in the low- to mid-70s on Friday. Winds will shift from out of the north and northwest at 5 to 10 mph on Friday. Overnight lows on Saturday will be in the upper-40s before temps rise into the upper-70s for afternoon highs on Saturday. Rain chances will be low during the daytime hours on Friday, but showers and maybe a few storms will increase in coverage on Saturday in the evening hours.
STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE SUNDAY… I am growing more concerned each day about a potentially significant round of severe weather setting up for Easter Sunday, April 12. Model guidance continues to be more supportive of storms that could be strong or potentially severe. There will likely be a tornado threat involved with this severe weather risk. By the time you’re seeing the morning video, the Storm Prediction Center will likely have added a Level 2 risk zone for much of our area. I will have more details about this evolving threat later today. Now is a great time to review your severe weather safety plan, especially since we’re living in a new reality with coronavirus.
COVID-19 AND TORNADO WARNING GUIDELINES… We are in a weird time when the guidelines on what to do during a tornado warning versus what to do regarding social distancing because of COVID-19 may seem to conflict. If you, your family, or your friends use a community underground storm shelter, please take the opportunity to read the recommended guidelines established by our local National Weather Service offices and the state health department. Basically, the tornado warning takes precedence over social distancing when/if necessary as the tornado is the more immediate threat. Here is the post outlining those details.
CARDS FOR THE ELDERLY… Please don’t forget to take advantage of our new RedZone Weather Cards for the Elderly program. We want to be able to safely send as many encouraging cards as possible to our local senior adults in nursing homes. Be sure to visit the link below for all the information. This is an opportunity for students and adults across our region to write encouraging notes to elderly people currently under lockdown in local nursing homes due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Here is the link.
APP ALERTS… redzoneweather.com/app is the link where you can download the free RedZone Weather app. We post brief updates throughout each day in the app, keeping you up-to-date about the latest happenings in weather across south Alabama and northwest Florida. Once you have the free app downloaded to your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner) then 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 Wednesday #rzw forecast video. Have a great day!