Rain Over South Alabama Tonight; Statewide Tomorrow
TROPICAL SOAKER AHEAD: A broad tropical low in the Gulf of Mexico (Potential Tropical Cyclone 3) has spread a large mass of rain onto the Gulf Coast this afternoon… elsewhere across Alabama the sky is partly sunny with temperatures mostly in the 87-90 degree range. Clouds will thicken tonight as the tropical low moves northward.
THE WEEKEND: The tropical low in the Gulf will move into Louisiana late tonight, and the remnant circulation will cut across Central Alabama by tomorrow evening. The low could be upgraded to Tropical Storm Claudette, but one way or another the impact will be the same.
Rain will expand into the northern half of the state tomorrow morning. Model data suggests the rain will arrive in Tuscaloosa/Birmingham/Anniston by 8:00 a.m… and over the Tennessee Valley by 11:00 a.m. Rain is likely statewide tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night; the rain could be heavy at times, especially over the central and southern counties of the state. A flash flood watch is in effect for areas along and south of I-20 (Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Anniston). Rain amounts between now and Monday will be in the 3-5 inch range in the watch area, with potential for over 5 inches across Mobile and Baldwin counties.
A few brief, isolated tornadoes are possible over the southern half of Alabama tomorrow; SPC now has defined a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms from Monroeville, Greenville, and Luverne down to the Gulf Coast. A “marginal risk” (level 1/5) extends as far north as Demopolis, Clanton, and Roanoke.
Keep in mind tornadoes associated with tropical systems are often low topped and short lived, and can easily get down without a warning, so be weather aware tomorrow. Temperatures tomorrow for most of the state won’t get out of the 70s due to clouds and rain.
The broad tropical low will move northeast of Alabama Sunday, but it will leave behind an airmass loaded with tropical moisture, and we expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms Sunday, although the rain won’t be as widespread. Sunday’s high will be in the low 80s with only a very limited amount of sun.
COASTAL IMPACT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from east of Morgan City, Louisiana to the Okaloosa/Walton County line Florida.The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The storm surge is forecast in the 2-3 foot range for the Alabama Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay. Dangerous rip currents are likely through Sunday, and double red flags are flying along the coast this afternoon.
The weather will improve on the Gulf Coast Sunday and into next week, although scattered showers and storms will remain possible.
NEXT WEEK: A number of showers and storms are likely Monday ahead of a cold front… then drier air begins to move into North Alabama Tuesday. Much of the state will be in relatively dry air Wednesday and Thursday with few, if any showers. Then, moisture begins to return late next week on Friday (June 25)… See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Other than the system in the Gulf, the rest of the Atlantic basin is quiet, and additional tropical storm formation is not expected through the weekend.
ON THIS DATE IN 1972: Hurricane Agnes strengthened into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. It made landfall in the eastern Florida Panhandle, and the remnants brought major flash flooding to much of the eastern U.S. The most significant effects, by far, occurred in Pennsylvania, mostly due to intense flooding. The hurricane severely flooded the Susquehanna River and the Lackawanna River causing major damage to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton metropolitan area. In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined, about 43,594 structures were either destroyed or significantly damaged. In Canada, a mobile home was toppled, killing two people.
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Look for my Weather Xtreme video here by 6:00 a.m. on Monday June 28… I will be on vacation next week. Enjoy the weekend!
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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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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