Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued; Flood Watch In Effect; More Rain Ahead

March 31, 2009

(Updated 1:20 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for North Escambia and surrounding areas until 7:00 tonight. A flash flood watch is also in effect until Wednesday morning.

Many across the North Escambia area will keep a watchful eye on the skies today, with as much as five to six inches of rain expected by tomorrow morning.

The National Weather Service says scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region during the day, gradually becoming more numerous during the afternoon. By the late afternoon or early evening hours, a more organized squall line will develop in advance of an approaching front. The storms will move across the area during the late evening or early Wednesday morning.

On the severe weather side, the primary threat from the squall line will be damaging straight line winds. But the biggest concern across North Escambia will be the potential for very heavy rainfall following last weeks storms that dumped up to an estimated 15 inches near Molino.

The weather service says that an average of two to four inches can be expected across the area, with localized areas receiving up to five to six inches. The heavy rains would likely make flooding conditions along area streams and rivers worse, and heavy rains on already saturated ground would create the possibility of more flash flooding in the region.

The weather service has issued a flash flood watch in effect through Wednesday morning. The official rain chance is 100 percent today, 80 percent tonight, 50 percent early Wednesday, 20 percent Wednesday night, 60 percent Thursday and 30 percent Thursday night. Friday and Saturday look sunny, and the rain is forecast to return by Sunday.

NorthEscambia.com will continue to monitor the weather situation and post updates as needed.

Comments

3 Responses to “Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued; Flood Watch In Effect; More Rain Ahead”

  1. Walnut Hill Resident on March 31st, 2009 4:24 pm

    Good day for ducks.

  2. j on March 31st, 2009 1:36 pm

    please rain go away if we get more rain century will be flooded out by the river so please rain go away

  3. margarat on March 31st, 2009 7:23 am

    rain, rain, go away…

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive