Here's what to expect from Hurricane Ian in Alabama
Forecasts are calling for "minor impacts," for Alabama from Hurricane Ian, which is expected to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend region early Wednesday morning.
A little wobble to the west in track would mean more weather impacts for the state, and a little shimmy east would mean less, said Jason Holmes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Birmingham.
"We are firming up the track, but people should continue to stay informed as Ian approaches landfall, expected somewhere in the western Florida area from Destin to Tampa," he said. "If the forecast track holds, Alabama will see breezy conditions and some rain in our eastern counties.
"The good news is Alabama is expected to be on the western side of the storm. That's the weaker, drier side. So chances of tornado development are very low."
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An area along and east of the Interstate 85 corridor could see 20 mph winds sustained with gusts to 35 mph Wednesday through Friday. Ian is expected to make landfall about 7 a.m. CST on Wednesday.
Forecasts for the Montgomery area are predicting clear conditions Thursday, with a 30% chance of rain Friday after noon and a 30% chance Saturday. Sunday will see a 20% chance of rain.
"Any rain we get will be in the outer bands of Ian as it tracks north, through Georgia," Holmes said. "The farther east you are in Alabama, the better your rain chances will be."
Hurricane Ian tracker
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What can we expect from Hurricane Ian in Alabama?
