Concerning The Gulf Tropical Low
A few quick notes to answer your questions about the tropical system that will develop in the Gulf of Mexico tonight/tomorrow…
LATE UPDATE: This system is now Tropical Depression Three.
*The rain across Alabama today doesn’t have anything to do with it; it is related to an upper trough/cold front combination. Additional rain amounts of 1/2 to 1 inch are likely today.
*The tropical low in the Gulf of Mexico will move into the northern part of the Florida Peninsula late tomorrow night. Confidence is high.
*This won’t become a dangerous hurricane. It will be a tropical depression, or perhaps a tropical storm (it would get the name Colin). But, one way or another, the main impact is the same… potential for heavy rain across the Florida Peninsula. An isolated tornado is possible as well over North Florida tomorrow and tomorrow night, where a “marginal risk” of severe weather is defined.
*Some of the outer bands will bring lots of rain to the far southeast tip of Alabama around Dothan, but most of our state won’t be directly impacted. In fact, dry air works into North Alabama tomorrow from the north.
*The tropical system won’t directly impact Gulf Shores or the Alabama coast, but dangerous rip tides are likely tomorrow and Tuesday. Some rain is possible tomorrow and tomorrow night for Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Panama City, but the heaviest rain from the tropical low will be east of there.
*The tropical low will move east of Florida during the day Tuesday, and the rest of the week looks great for the Southeast U.S. with lots of sun and only isolated showers or storms.
National media hype will probably tell you there are “millions in the path” of a “monster storm” that is “unprecedented”. The truth is that early season systems like this are common, and while the heavy rain and rip tide potential is very real and something that needs to be understood, it isn’t a “monster storm”.
See detailed beach forecasts for the Central Gulf anytime right here.
Category: Alabama's Weather, Tropical
About the Author (Author Profile)
James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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