‘Enhanced’ risk of severe weather on tap for Friday

Published 7:52 pm Thursday, March 17, 2022

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David Adams with the Escambia County Emergency Management Agency released information Thursday evening ahead of an expected severe weather day on Friday.

Adams said the Escambia County area should see plenty of rainfall and could expect to see severe conditions throughout the morning.

“Our area has been upgraded to an ‘Enhanced’ risk of severe weather for tomorrow, Friday, March 18,” Adams said.  “The three main threats are tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail.  The exact timing has some uncertainties, so please prepare for the possibility throughout the day.”

According to information provided by the National Weather Service covering our area, the threat of storms appears to most of the storm activity could occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for the Brewton area. Other areas throughout South Alabama and Northwest Florida could see impacts as early as 6 a.m.

According to NWS information, the severe weather could include main threats of:
▪ Tornadoes (a strong tornado is possible)
▪ Damaging winds up to 70 mph
▪ Large hail (up to golf ball size possible)

▪ Threat begins in the pre-dawn hours over western portions of the forecast area and spreads
east through the day. The tornado threat will quickly increase from south to north during the
morning hours as a warm front surges north.

▪ 1-3” of rain with locally higher amounts possible. Greatest potential for localized heavier
amounts appears to be across the western Florida Panhandle

Please remember to have a way to receive alerts throughout the day on Friday and stay weather aware.

Report any damages or injuries to officials.