HURRICANE SEASON STARTS TODAY; DEVELOPMENT POSSIBLE LATER THIS WEEK… The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season kicks off today, and already we are looking at a growing potential for a tropical storm forming in the southern Gulf of Mexico later this week. The National Hurricane Center has development odds now up to a 70% chance. It is still too early to know where this system will ultimately end up. Some models show the system remaining in the southern Gulf before moving into Mexico. Other models have consistently suggested a more northerly route for the storm that could put parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, or Florida in the projected path. These details will come into better focus over the next few days. Locally, we have a nice, but hot, Monday on tap across south Alabama and northwest Florida. High temperatures will be in the low-90s across the region. Let’s look at all of your forecast details.
MOSTLY SUNNY TODAY; RAIN CHANCES INCREASE LATER THIS WEEK… Rain chances remain very low today (<10%). While I cannot completely rule out one or two small showers this afternoon, nearly all of us will remain dry today. High temperatures will be in the 89-92° range. SHOWERS & STORMS WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY… P.M. pop-up thunderstorms will return Tuesday through Friday. Rain chances will progressively increase each day. These pop-up thunderstorms will be capable of producing gusty winds, cloud-to-ground lightning, and localized areas of heavy rain.
70% CHANCE OF TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN GULF… The National Hurricane Center says there is now a 70% chance that a tropical storm will form in the Bay of Campeche (southern Gulf of Mexico) in the next 5 days. From the NHC 2AM Tropical Weather Outlook: “The remnants of Eastern Pacific Tropical Storm Amanda are currently located inland near the Guatemala-Yucatan Border. This large disturbance is forecast to move slowly northward this morning, followed by a northwestward motion later today, and the center of the low pressure system could emerge over the southeastern Bay of Campeche by this evening. If the remnants move back over water, environmental conditions appear conducive to support some development, and a new tropical depression could form while the system moves little through the middle of this week. Regardless of tropical cyclone formation, heavy rainfall is likely to continue over portions of southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and western Honduras during the next few days.”
LOCAL IMPACTS – TO BE DETERMINED… This remains on point from yesterday: There is a chance that NO local impacts across south Alabama and northwest Florida ever happen because of this system. We still are a few days out from knowing conclusively whether direct local impacts will happen. Uncertainty at this phase of development IS expected and details will come more into focus over the next few days. The MOST likely scenario, as of Monday, June 1, is that we will have slightly increased rain chances during the upcoming weekend. There could be a chance of a few stronger storms involved, depending on the exact track of what will likely be Tropical Storm Cristobal at that point. Please check back with me over the next few days as we continue to get more information.
REST OF ATLANTIC BASIN REMAINS QUIET… The area of low pressure we were tracking late last week located well southeast of Bermuda and north of the Lesser Antilles has moved into an environment that no longer favors tropical or subtropical storm development. Other than the remnants of Eastern Pacific Tropical Storm Amanda, currently situated over the mountainous terrain of central America, the remainder of the Atlantic basin is quiet on this Monday morning.
HURRICANE SEASON STARTS TODAY… Today (Monday, June 1) marks the formal beginning of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We’ve already had Tropical Storms Arthur and Bertha along the East Coast of the U.S. The next tropical cyclone name on the Atlantic Basin Naming List is “Cristobal.” NOAA and other agencies that issue hurricane season outlooks are suggesting the potential for an above average hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms expected, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 6 major hurricanes. The “official” kickoff of hurricane season is Monday, June 1. The season will end on November 30. Stay with us throughout hurricane season. We’ll bring you the latest information in a reliable and concise way.
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 large, yellow Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.
See all the details in your Monday #rzw forecast video. I’ll have your next detailed forecast video posted by 7:15AM on Tuesday. Have a good start to your week.