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Escambia County EMA Director David Adams released information concerning the upcoming severe weather event set for our area on Thursday.

According to Adams, the county’s risk has been downgraded to be included as a “marginal” event for the area.

“Escambia has dropped from the “Slight Risk” to the “Marginal Risk,” Adams said. “This means that the risk has been lowered some. The potential still exists for strong to severe storms and a tornado is possible.”

According to information from the National Weather Service in Mobile, a line of showers and storms is expected to move through the local area Thursday morning and push east of the area early Thursday evening,  bringing the potential for damaging winds and possibly a tornado. Additionally, this system will bring increased (non-thunderstorm) winds to both land and marine areas by Thursday.

Impact 1 – Severe Storm Potential

• WHAT: Strong to severe storms capable of producing damaging winds up to 60 mph; a tornado is possible.
• WHEN: Thursday morning through early Thursday evening.
• WHERE: A SLIGHT RISK (LEVEL 2/5)of severe storms is outlooked for far interior southwest and south-central Alabama, with a MARGINAL RISK (LEVEL 1/5) outlooked elsewhere.
• CONFIDENCE:There remains uncertainty in how widespread any severe weather will be, but we have medium confidence regarding the potential for damaging winds over the Slight Risk area.

Impact 2 – Increased Winds

• WHAT: Small Craft Advisory in effect for southwest winds 20-25 knots, gusts up to 30 knots, and seas 4-7 feet. With the passage of a cold front, winds will shift to be northerly Thursday night into Friday.
• WHEN: 9 AM Thursday through 9 AM CST Saturday.
• WHERE: Gulf waters out to 60 nm.
• We will also continue to monitor trends for a potential Wind Advisory over portions of the local area on Thursday.

Lastly, a high risk of rip currents is in effect for local beaches Thursday through Thursday night.