06/14/2023
OUTLOOK UPGRADE: LEVEL 4 (OUT OF 5) SEVERE WEATHER RISK; HIGH WIND & TORNADO RISK THIS EVENING... The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded much of south Alabama into their rare Level 4 (out of 5) severe weather risk valid for later today into tonight. This is a significant severe weather risk zone driven by the growing potential for a derecho, a storm system that will be fast-moving and cause 70-80 mph wind gusts. In addition, tornadoes and large hail will be possible. It is SO important to note that we ALL have a significant severe weather risk later today into tonight. This means regardless of which specific color/zone you're in, YOU have a significant severe weather risk if you are currently in south Alabama or northwest Florida.
SEVERE WEATHER TIMING - TODAY INTO TONIGHT... Multiple rounds of thunderstorms will be possible today, first this morning and then again in the evening hours. Thunderstorms that happen in the morning hours are expected to feature damaging winds and hail. There continues to be more uncertainty than usual in the timing of these systems, but now to 1PM may be the first main window for storms this morning. Then, a more potent round of storms may move across our area from northwest to southeast from 7PM to 2AM Thursday. Again, uncertainty in timing is a bit higher than usual, thus it is important for everyone across the region to have a good, reliable way to hear warnings today and into the evening hours.
LEVEL 4 (OUT OF 5) SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER RISK FOR LOCAL AREA... Inland areas of south Alabama are now involved in a rare Level 4 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone. Our area usually has one or two of these risk zones per year. This Level 4 risk is primarily driven by a growing chance for very strong winds (70-80 mph wind gusts) in a cluster of thunderstorms slated to move across our region later this evening. Tornadoes and large hail will also be possible. The Level 4 risk zone includes Monroeville, Excel, Uriah, Frisco City, Megargal, Mineola, Chrysler, Goodway, Peterman, Tunnel Springs, Beatrice, Riley Crossing, Perdue Hill, Mexia, Scratch Ankle, Hybart, Franklin, Eliska, Thomasville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Coffeeville, Fulton, Carlton, Gainestown, Gosport, Whatley, Scyrene, Springfield, Chilton, Tallahatta Springs, Bashi, Woods Bluff, Campbell, Zimco, Toddtown, Salitpa, Suggsville, Alma, Dickinson, West Bend, Winn, Walker Springs, Evergreen, Castleberry, Owassa, Repton, Lenox, Range, Burnt Corn, Lyeffion, Centerville, Johnsonville, Brooklyn, Paul, Melrose, Old Sparta, Jay Villa, Belleville, Greenville, Georgiana, Chapman, Bolling, Grace, Garland, Oaky Streak, Daisy, Halso Mill, Starlington, Forest Home, Chatom, Leroy, McIntosh, Millry, Deer Park, Vinegar Bend, Fruitdale, Yellow Pine, Copeland, Yarbo, Jordan, Bigbee, St. Stephens, Tibbie, Sims Chapel, Sunflower, Malcolm, Andalusia, Opp, Rose Hill, Onycha, Red Oak, Straughn, Red Level, Gantt, Clearview, Carolina, Pleasant Home, Sanford, Libertyville, Eoda, Horn Hill, River Falls, and Loango.
LEVEL 4 (OUT OF 5) SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER RISK FOR LOCAL AREA... The expansive Level 4 (out of 5) severe weather risk also includes communities outside of our local area, including places like Montgomery, Auburn, Prattville, Demopolis, Camden, Pine Hill, Oak Hill, Luverne, Enterprise, Elba, Dothan, Geneva, Ft. Rucker, Abbeville, Eufaula, Phenix City, Butler, Gilbertown, Livingston, Marion, Wetumpka, Union Springs, and Troy. Jackson (MS), Meridian (MS), and Albany (GA) are also involved in the Level 4 (out of 5) risk zone.
LEVEL 3 (OUT OF 5) SEVERE WEATHER RISK TO THE SOUTH... Keep in mind, if you're in a coastal county, you are involved in a Level 3 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone. Even though the risk is technically higher a bit farther north from these communities, you still have a considerable risk of severe storms this evening. This zone includes Atmore, Flomaton, Florala, Mobile, Prichard, Citronelle, Mt. Vernon, Creola, Satsuma, Saraland, Calvert, Wilmer, West Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Coden, Alabama Port, Dauphin Island, Theodore, Crichton, Tanner Williams, Tillmans Corner, Chunchula, Grand Bay, Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Ono Island, Fort Morgan, Magnolia Springs, Foley, Elberta, Elsanor, Robertsdale, Summerdale, Silverhill, Montrose, Loxley, Stapleton, Bay Minette, Rabun, Perdido, Point Clear, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Warrington, Myrtle Grove, Molino, Walnut Hill, Bratt, Century, Ensley, Gonzalez, Cantonment, Quintette, McDavid, Navarre, Jay, Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze, Harold, Whiting Field, Chumuckla, New York, Brownsdale, Berrydale, Munson, Fidelis, McClellan, Mulat, Bagdad, Pine Bluff, Avalon Beach, Garcon Point, Whitfield, Allentown, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Mary Esther, Wright, VPS, Eglin AFB, Crestview, Deerland, Campton, Auburn (FL), Baker, Holt, Milligan, and Laurel Hill.
APP ALERTS... 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.
My next forecast video and detailed text discussion will be posted by 7:15AM. I will have more updates posted in the hours ahead in the RedZone Weather app. Join us in live tornado warning coverage if/when warnings become necessary for our local area. Have a nice Wednesday and please stay safe!
