By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON – Continued good news as Irma is barely a hurricane (75 mph winds) at 5 am, and will be a tropical storm (39-73 mph) later this morning. This is due to increased wind shear aloft, Irma’s center over land, and both expected to continue. However, Irma is a large storm, with tropical storm wind gusts outward to 415 miles from the center.
The counties in dark red remain in a Tropical Storm Warning. All other counties outside the Tropical Storm Warning in Alabama are now under a wind advisory.
In the tropical storm warning area, which remains generally east of an Oneonta – Pell City – Montgomery – Andalusia line, sustained winds will be increasing to 25-35 mph from south to north today, with gusts of 45-55 mph.
For areas near and west of I65, sustained winds of 20-30 mph are expected, with gusts of 35-45 mph.
The strongest winds will likely occur between 2 pm today and 2 am Tuesday.
The winds will decrease substantially after 2 am Tuesday, with breezing conditions continuing for areas east of I65 and north of I20. 15-25 mph winds will occur through Tuesday afternoon in this region.
For areas west of I65, 1-3 inches of rain is likely through Tuesday with 2-4 inches and isolated higher amounts generally east of I65.
The tornado threat remains very low for our state.
Some trees and power lines will likely be downed with these winds, and sporadic power outages should be expected.