RADAR CHECK: Showers and thunderstorms are most active this afternoon south of I-59 (south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Gadsden). Flash flood warnings have been issued for parts of Montgomery, Wilcox, Lee, and Russell counties, where amounts have likely exceeded two inches. There is some sun over the northern quarter of Alabama, where temperatures have reached the low 80s.
A flash flood watch remains in effect for much of Alabama through Wednesday as an upper low to the west will bring keep a wet weather pattern in place. We expect occasional showers and a few thunderstorms tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday with potential for heavy rain at times. We also note there is a low end “marginal risk” of severe thunderstorms for a small part of West Alabama… some hail is possible there due to the cold air aloft associated with the upper low over Mississippi.
Additional rain amounts of 1-3 inches are likely for most of the state through Thursday morning, with isolated heavier amounts. Showers will begin to thin out during the day Thursday as the upper low lifts out.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Dry weather returns to Alabama and the Deep South. The sky will be partly to mostly sunny Friday with a high in the low 80s. Then, look for a sun filled sky Saturday and Sunday with highs in the 82-85 degree range. Lows over the weekend will be in the 60s.
NEXT WEEK: Dry weather will likely persist across the Deep South much of next week with temperatures near average; highs will be around 80 with lows in the 60s. Still no sign of any major shots of colder air for the next 7-10 days here… See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Victor, in the Central Atlantic, has dissipated this afternoon. Hurricane Sam, in the North Atlantic, becomes post-tropical in the colder water tomorrow morning. And, NHC is monitoring a tropical wave east of the Bahamas… it is moving to the northwest, but has only a very low chance (10 percent) of developing due to harsh upper air winds. The rest of the Atlantic basin, including the Gulf of Mexico, is quiet.
ON THIS DATE IN 2005: Hurricane Stan, a minimal Category 1 Hurricane with 75 mph maximum sustained surface winds, made landfall near Punta Roca Partida, Mexico. While not a particularly strong hurricane, the torrential rains caused flooding and landslides, which resulted in 1,513 deaths in Guatemala.
Flash flood watch issued for Northwest Florida
Flash Flood Warning in effect for portions of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Baldwin Counties until 5:45 a.m. Slow moving thunderstorms will cause flash flooding overnight. NWS: “At 1137 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a band of slow moving showers and thunderstorms producing very heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have quickly fallen over areas that remain saturated from torrential rainfall that fell earlier this morning (Monday). Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Northwest Florida and continues until Wednesday.
Heavy, slow-moving rain moved in Monday morning and brought more than 5 inches to many areas. The slow moving weather maker is expected to stick around through the middle of the week.
Multiple Flash Flood Warnings have been issued. With more rain to come, remember to take it slow if you have to travel and NEVER drive through a flooded roadway.
On top of the heavy rain that has already struck, an additional 3 to 6 inches is forecast.
A flash flood warning has been issued for portions of Western New York
Small but intense thunderstorm cells are raising the possibility of flash flooding tonight.
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Southwestern Chautauqua County until 9:30 p.m. by the National Weather Service. Clymer, Sherman, French Creek, Mina, and Panama are all included in the warning.
These small but powerful thunderstorms have been moving slowly through this part of Chautauqua County, and radar estimates indicate that nearly two inches of rain has already fallen. There is a chance that another one to two inches of rain will fall as these cells move through this area before weakening and drifting east.
The main concern with this flooding is the large amount of rain that has fallen in such a short period of time. Essentially, while it is still raining, the water has nowhere to go, and storm drains can only handle so much water at once.
During a Flash Flood Warning, it is especially important to stay off the roads and not drive a vehicle through any amount of water that covers any roadways.
