Tropical Rain Ahead For Alabama
EYES ON THE GULF: A developing tropical system promises to bring a good soaking to much of Alabama over the next 48 hours. But, early this morning there is no rain on radar, and temperatures are mostly in the 60s. The northern half of the state will stay dry today with a partly sunny sky along with a high in the low 90s. To the south, rain moves into Southwest Alabama by early afternoon, and will slowly spread northward tonight.
The tropical low is forecast to become a minimal tropical storm tonight before moving onto the Louisiana coast (the name will be “Claudette” if it reaches tropical storm strength).
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Widespread rain is likely tomorrow and tomorrow night, and the rain will be heavy at times as the tropical low approaches. A flash flood watch is in effect for areas along and south of I-20 (south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Anniston). Rain amounts over the weekend will be in the 2-4 inch range for much of Central Alabama, with 3-5 inches for the southern counties.
Also, there is a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for that same area (along and south of I-20).
A few brief, isolated tornadoes are possible tomorrow and tomorrow night, mainly over the southern half of Alabama. Keep mind these tornadoes associated with a tropical system usually last for only a few minutes, and often warnings can’t be issued. Temperatures tomorrow won’t get out of the 70s due to clouds and rain.
The remnant circulation of the system will move northeast of Alabama Sunday, but it will leave behind a moisture laden airmass. While the rain across Alabama won’t be as widespread Sunday, we still expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms with a high in the low 70s.
COASTAL IMPACT: A tropical storm warning is in effect from Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Okaloosa/Walton County line, including the Alabama Gulf Coast. The main impact on the Central Gulf Coast will come from heavy rain, coastal flooding, and rip currents. 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 surge for the Alabama Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay is expected to be 2-3 feet. A few isolated waterspouts and brief tornadoes are possible.
The weather will begin to improve along the Gulf Coast Sunday and early next week.
NEXT WEEK: Scattered to numerous showers and storms remain likely Monday ahead of a cold front… then drier air begins to work into North Alabama Tuesday. Much of the state will be dry by Wednesday with showers confined to far South Alabama. Then, we will bring in the risk of a few scattered showers Thursday and Friday as moisture returns. 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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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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