7/24 – Chief Meteorologist Rob Knight’s Friday Morning Forecast

The main local effects from TS Hanna will be enhanced tide levels and periods of heavy rain. This won’t be a persistent, all day, rain by any means, but the rain totals will slowly add up, especially along the coastal counties. Rain somewhat directly associated with TD 8 is mainly an issue today, but the upper-level pattern and a very saturated airmass will bring occasional showers and storms to the area through the weekend. Current areal projections are for a general 2 to 4 inches south of the Interstate 10 corridor through Sunday. As long as it happens over 3 days, we’ll be able to handle it without major issues, so no current plans for a Flood or Flash Flood Watch, but there`s certainly the potential in later forecasts if it becomes apparent that a particular area comes into focus for persistent heavy rain.

Regarding Coastal Flood Advisory, certainly seeing some issues with high tide levels in the usual trouble spots in Hancock County, and levels at Shell Beach are near the level where problems begin. Guidance indicates most areas in the advisory should see about a foot above normal, but a few spots could see 2 feet above normal. The main period of concern is during the current tide cycle…with astronomical tide ranges beginning to decrease today. High temps should remain in the 80s due to clouds/precip through the weekend.