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According to meteorologist Spinks Megginson, the Covington County area is due for some severe weather this weekend.

“The Storm Prediction Center has posted a rare risk zone 6 days out from now valid for Sat., Jan. 11, 2020, when much of the Deep South could have strong to severe storms,” Megginson said. “All modes of severe weather, including tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, large hail, and flash flooding will be possible although it is too early to know anything highly detailed about specific hazard placement and timing. ALL of Alabama, northwest Florida, and much of Mississippi is included in this risk zone for Saturday.”

He said on Friday there is a risk zone for other areas, as well.

“We note there is a risk zone valid for Friday for areas back in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas,” Megginson said. “Outlook upgrades and changes are expected in the days ahead. Be sure to check back with me on Monday morning and every morning this week in the forecast video for the latest information.”

The Storm Prediction Center uses multiple weather models and simulations to help better understand the possibilities, and Megginson said, the model has been consistent.

“You may be wondering how and why the Storm Prediction Center posts an outlook like this so far out,” Megginson said. “SPC uses multiple weather models and simulations to help better understand the possibilities of what could happen across the continental United States for any given day. Model guidance has been consistent enough to warrant an ‘early red flag,’ suggesting there is a growing potential for the outlooked areas to have severe weather. A trough in the jet stream will dip down across the Great Plains and ultimately move eastward. Combine that with the warm, unstable air that will likely be in place across our region on Saturday, and you get a recipe of ingredients coming together that could produce weather hazards, including tornadoes.”

Megginson said now is the time to be prepared for severe weather.

“Now is the time, long before we get to this severe weather potential, to set up the RedZone Weather app on your smartphone,” Megginson said. “redzoneweather.com/app is the link where you can download the iOS or Android version of the app. Once you have the app downloaded to your device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner of the app), then tap the large, yellow Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.

I’ll have updates throughout the week and into the weekend.”