Residents across Dothan, Houston County, and the broader Wiregrass region will experience calm and warmer weather for Wednesday and Thursday, according to Chief Meteorologist David Paul and Meteorologist Ryan Dugger. However, local meteorologists are closely monitoring Isaias as it continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico, with potential impacts expected by the weekend.
Today, Wednesday, the Wiregrass can expect mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, with high temperatures near 82 degrees. Winds will be out of the northeast at 5 to 15 miles per hour, and there is a minimal 5 percent chance of rain. Tonight, conditions will shift to mostly cloudy, primarily with high clouds, as temperatures drop to a low near 63 degrees. Northeast winds will remain light at around 5 miles per hour, with the rain chance staying at 5 percent.
Thursday's forecast continues the calm trend, with mostly cloudy skies, again primarily high clouds, and a high near 83 degrees. Winds will be from the northeast at 5 to 10 miles per hour, maintaining a low 5 percent chance of rain. These conditions provide a quiet lead-up before the anticipated arrival of Isaias.
As the weekend approaches, Isaias is projected to turn northward, with a likely landfall between late Friday and early Saturday. The storm's track is currently expected to take it west of the Wiregrass region. While Chief Meteorologist David Paul and Meteorologist Ryan Dugger indicate that significant impacts are not guaranteed at this time, the storm is likely to bring rainy and windy conditions to the area. This means those planning outdoor activities or commuting across the Wiregrass should prepare for changing conditions.
On Friday, the Wiregrass will see increasing cloud cover, with rain becoming more prevalent throughout the day. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 77 degrees after a low of 65 degrees, with a 70 percent chance of rain impacting the region. Saturday will begin with rain early in the day before gradually turning mostly cloudy. Temperatures will be slightly warmer, with a high near 78 degrees and a low near 69 degrees, and the chance of rain decreasing to 40 percent.
Looking ahead to next week, the weather is expected to clear up. Sunday forecasts mostly sunny skies with a high near 83 degrees and a low of 65 degrees, and only a 5 percent chance of rain. Monday will continue to be mostly sunny, with temperatures climbing to a high near 85 degrees and a low near 63 degrees, maintaining a 5 percent rain chance. By Tuesday, mostly sunny conditions will persist, and temperatures will rise further, reaching a high near 87 degrees after a low of 62 degrees, with the minimal rain chance remaining at 5 percent.
For those along the coast, Wednesday's forecast includes moderate chop on coastal lakes and bays. Winds are expected to be out of the northeast at 10 to 20 knots, with seas offshore reaching 4 to 5 feet, as reported by Chief Meteorologist David Paul and Meteorologist Ryan Dugger. While the immediate coastal forecast is for Wednesday, residents should be aware of conditions in the Gulf as Isaias strengthens and approaches.
