Thomas Geboy

Our Tuesday will start with a chance of isolated showers and rumbles of thunder. By the afternoon, there will be an 80% chance that wet weather finds you. Along and west of I-65, a few strong to severe storms can't be ruled out with a marginal severe risk. If we see severe weather, winds will be the main concern. Times of heavy rain will also be possible and like Monday, some spots could see several rounds of wet weather. Outside of any showers or during breaks, skies will be partly sunny to mostly cloudy as highs reach the mid to upper 80s.

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — We're closing in on the 4th Gulf Coast! Drier air is starting to settle in which means over the next few days we'll see lower rain chances, but it will come with higher heat!

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — We're more than halfway through the workweek, Gulf Coast! For the second half of the workweek, we'll be settling into a pretty typical summertime pattern.

TROPICS - Tropical storm Erin has formed in the eastern Atlantic. It is forecast to become a hurricane later this week and become a major hurricane by this weekend. As Erin approaches the southwest Atlantic, most forecast model ensemble members begin to turn it north thanks to a weakness in a ridge of high pressure. Trends are definitely encouraging for us along the Gulf Coast, but we'll continue to watch and keep you posted. The NHC is also monitoring a weak surface low pressure in the Gulf. They do not anticipate this developing, but this is mainly going to help generate showers and storms over the northern Gulf Coast, especially for the Panhandle where flash flooding will be possible. Elsewhere in the tropics, the NHC is watching two other areas in the Atlantic. Both have low development potential and do not look like they'll impact the US. Right now, there are no imminent tropical threat to the Gulf.

Saturday will bring a critical fire risk to the Gulf Coast thanks to a dry front that will pass through our area on Friday night.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is currently in effect for all of our Mississippi and Alabama Counties until 9PM. Thunderstorms that move into our area this afternoon and evening will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and frequent lightning.

The latest drought monitor released today shows little change compared to last week's update. That means most of the NBC 15 area remains in either severe or extreme drought.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for the most inland counties across the NBC-15 area until 11PM. The counties included are Greene (MS), Washington, Clarke, Monroe, and Conecuh Counties. From the afternoon through the evening, most of the activity across the region will likely be to our north, however, there will be a chance we could see isolated to scattered storms across the northern part of our area. If we see storms, they will be capable of becoming severe and if they do, all modes of severe weather will be possible. Tornadoes, damaging winds, and even large hail.