Isaac Battering The Central Gulf Coast
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ROUGH RIDE: Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm earlier this afternoon on the Louisiana coast, but it really doesn’t matter in terms of the impact to Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi; unrelenting rain and wind continues in the spiral bands wrapping around the east side of the storm with major flooding and a few tornadoes. Plaquemines Parish has been hit very hard by flooding.
Isaac is packing sustained winds of 70 mph, and is creeping along to the northwest at only 5 to 10 mph. No real change in the forecast track; the circulation center will move to near Shreveport tomorrow, and then through Arkansas, Missouri, and into Illinois and Indiana.
COASTAL ALABAMA: The worst is over. There has been little damage, although some significant flooding over Mobile County. In fact, a flash flood warning was just issued for Mobile County until 8:45 p.m. The most significant flooding so far has been south of the city of Mobile. On the coast, seas are beginning to subside at places like Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and the sun should begin to return there tomorrow.
INLAND ALABAMA: Up this way, tropical showers today so far have been generally south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Clanton to Auburn. These showers are moving north, and all of North and Central Alabama can expect occasional showers tonight and tomorrow. While a heavy downpour is certainly possible along the way, the good news is that Isaac will be far enough away to prevent any flooding issues here; rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches can be expected through Friday.
The rain won’t be continuous tomorrow and Friday, but it could rain at any time. Keep the rain gear handy. Highs will be in the 80s both days.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: This is opening week, and there are games both tomorrow night and Friday night. Showers are possible both nights, perhaps a little more likely tomorrow night. We usually don’t get too much thunder and lightning from tropical setups up like this, so I believe the games will be played, but just be ready for a passing shower from time to time. Temperatures should be mostly in the 77-82 degree range during the games.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Many questions from Alabama fans that are driving to Dallas for Saturday’s opening game against Michigan. No doubt you will be driving through the heavy rain associated with Isaac over Louisiana and Mississippi, but if you stay on I-20 I don’t expect any serious problems; there are few flood prone areas along that highway (and I have been up and down that road many, many times, especially in the 80s when I worked for KDFW in Dallas). You might consider taking I-22 to Memphis and using I-40 and I-30 to get to Dallas, but I honestly don’t think it is worth the detour.
For Auburn fans headed the other direction, to Atlanta, just a few showers around Friday and Saturday; no severe weather and nothing too heavy.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND: If you have a beach trip planned this weekend, go for it. We expect about 5 to 7 hours of sunshine each day from Panama City west to Gulf Shores with a few scattered showers and storms, but nothing out of the ordinary. Highs on the coast will be in the upper 80s, and the seas will be much, much calmer.
Around here for the weekend, the weather will be warm and humid with a mix of sun and clouds Saturday through Monday with the risk of a few scattered showers and storms each day. Highs will be in the 87 to 90 degree range.
Pretty much the same weather can be expected early next week.
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Category: Alabama's Weather
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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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