By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON –Monday, 8 am August 16, 2021
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Covington, Coffee, Geneva, Dale, Henry and Houston counties. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for portions of southeast Alabama.
Fred is forecast to make landfall near Panama City FL late this afternoon or early this evening with sustained winds of 60 mph and gusts to 70 mph. The storm will track north-northeastward, reach the Dothan vicinity around 1-4 am, and exit into west-central Georgia Tuesday afternoon.
The highest winds will be east of I-65 and south of I-85, especially in the far southeast sections of the state. Winds will increase this afternoon through the overnight hours with sustained winds of 20-30 mph and some higher gusts. Gusts in far southeast AL could reach 50 mph. Winds will subside substantially by Tuesday afternoon.
Total Rainfall amounts by Wednesday morning along and east of an Anniston – Montgomery – Evergreen line will be 2-6 inches with some spots having higher amounts.
A few tornadoes are possible mainly this afternoon and overnight in the eastern sections of the state, especially in far southeast Alabama.
After Fred exits the state Tuesday afternoon, an active pattern will continue for Alabama with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms each day into this weekend.
Make sure you have at least two methods to receive any potential tornado or flash flood warnings.
Finally, Tropical Depression Grace is forecast to become a tropical storm Tuesday and move westward across the southern Gulf with no direct impacts to our state.
