Spinks Megginson

5:55PM August 19, 2018

SHOWERS FADING… It’s been quite a dreary Sunday for many spots across the region. Showers and storms are quickly fading this evening. I expect another round of showers and thunderstorms to start popping up on Monday morning.

4:00PM August 19, 2018

DREARY SUNDAY EVENING… Many rain showers and thunderstorms continue across south Alabama and northwest Florida. The most intense lightning output locally is near Dauphin Island and Coden in southern Mobile County. Storms are a bit stronger just to our north in portions of Marengo and Choctaw counties.

Showers and storms will continue over the next few hours. Rain chances decrease after sunset, but there still will be some risk of a shower/storm overnight into Monday morning. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to develop on Monday across our region.

2:19PM August 19, 2018

STRONG STORMS IN CLARKE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES… Rain is falling in parts of ALL of our 12 county primary coverage area this afternoon. Heavy rain is happening along the US43 and US84 corridors in Clarke County. Strong storms have developed near Thomasville, Fulton, Grove Hill, and Coffeeville. Storms have also fired across northern Washington County near Silver Cross, St. Stephens, Frankville, and Millry.

Scattered storms and stratiform rain will continue over the next few hours. Severe weather is not expected, although isolated instances of flash flooding will be possible.

1:17PM August 19, 2018

MANY THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON… Widespread rain and thunderstorms continue to happen across south Alabama and northwest Florida on this Sunday afternoon. At the moment, the heaviest rain is happening across portions of Conecuh, Monroe, Clarke, and Washington counties.

Big takeaway in the forecast today is that scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will be likely from now until at least sunset. We remain in a very moist, juicy airmass that will be supportive of numerous thunderstorms throughout the day. Widespread severe weather is not expected, but heavy rain and lightning IS expected.

12:04PM August 19, 2018

STORMS TODAY & ANOTHER WET, WARM WEEK AHEAD… Numerous showers and thunderstorms are happening across south Alabama and northwest Florida on this Sunday afternoon. At the time this video is being produced (around Noon), heavy rain and thunderstorms are happening near Bay Minette, Stockton, Atmore, Perdido, Poarch, Creola, Berrydale, and Fidelis. High temperatures today will peak around 87° where it is not raining, but most of us will be stuck in the mid-80s as rain/clouds will keep temperatures a bit suppressed. There are MORE showers and storms in the forecast this week. The tropics, however, remain quiet. Let’s look at details…

HIGH RAIN CHANCES THROUGH TUESDAY… An upper atmospheric trough combined with a surface frontal boundary and ample deep layer moisture will set the stage for another high (60-70%) chance of rain and thunderstorms on Monday into Tuesday. I’m not expecting a severe weather setup this week, but I would not be surprised if flash flooding becomes an issue in isolated locales during the early part of the week. Rain amounts will vary wildly, with some spots receiving less than one half of an inch of rain with others getting in excess of 3” of rain in total over the next 48 hours. Have a way to keep tabs on the radar over the next few days and please move inside if you’re in range of thunder. That means you’re close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. “When thunder roars, go indoors!”

TROPICS QUIET AGAIN… Tropical Storm Ernesto became post-tropical yesterday as it moved toward Ireland. The tropical wave near the Lesser Antilles remains weak and is now in an environment where tropical storm formation cannot happen due to high atmospheric shear values. The remainder of the Atlantic basin, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, remain quiet. The National Hurricane Center notes that tropical storm formation is not expected over the next 5 days. We note that category 4 Hurricane Lane will pass just to the south of Hawaii over the next 3 days… Yet another brush with a major hurricane for the Pacific island chain.

DRIER END TO THE WEEK?… Most of our forecast models indicate a drier end to the week with rain chances plummeting for Wednesday and Thursday as the stalled front in place near our region dives southward into the Gulf of Mexico. I use the term “drier” very loosely, as rain chances will likely still be around 20-30% for Wednesday through Friday.

BE PREPARED… Despite numerous afternoon thunderstorms, 2018 has featured far less severe weather activity compared to 2017 for our local area. It’s not “if,” but “when” our severe weather risks will happen again! Now is the time to make sure you’re prepared for our next potential severe weather event, whether it be a hurricane or tornado event. One thing you can do that takes very little time to get prepared is to download the updated version of the RedZone Weather app (redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download) and visit the “Alerts” tab (bottom right corner) to customize the alerts you’d like to receive straight from me.

Let me know if you have any weather-related questions. Have a great Sunday evening!

8:38AM August 19, 2018

EARLY MORNING STORMS… Showers and thunderstorms continue to bring heavy rain to much of Escambia County, AL this morning. Heavy rain is happening along the US31 corridor from Brewton westward to Atmore.

6:15AM August 19, 2018

SUNDAY FORECAST… Showers and thunderstorms are likely today. Most of the rain/storm action should happen in the afternoon hours. Isolated storms this morning are also possible. The overall chance of rain across south Alabama and northwest Florida is 70-80% today. High temperatures will peak around 88. I’ll have more forecast updates later this morning with your next RedZone Weather forecast video around 1:30PM. See you then!

9:51PM August 18, 2018

RAIN FADING AWAY… Showers and thunderstorms are finally coming to an end across south Alabama and northwest Florida on this Saturday evening. Light rain showers are happening across portions of Covington and Okaloosa counties. Heavier rain is happening across the southern halves of Mobile and Baldwin counties near Fairhope, Theodore, Silverhill, and Robertsdale.

MORE STORMS ON SUNDAY… Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms will happen on Sunday across our region. The greatest chance of rain will happen in the afternoon hours, but because atmospheric moisture values remain very high, I won’t be surprised to see showers and storms in the morning hours as well.

Have a great evening!