Hurricane Dorian Expected To Stay East Of Alabama, Panhandle

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Hurricane Dorian continues to strengthen as it moves toward the United States mainland. Projections show the storm making landfall in Florida on Labor Day, but staying east of Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Dorian has sustained winds of 110 mph and is expected to become a major hurricane today. By the time it reaches the east coast of Florida Monday night, winds are projected to be 140 mph, Category 4 strength. This is a dangerous situation for the Florida peninsula, especially for those on the Atlantic coast.

Meteorologist James Spann said there is now "very good agreement in model output that Dorian will turn north, and then northeast, well east of Alabama and before it gets into the Gulf of Mexico."

The risk of dangerous storm surge and hurricane-force winds later this week and this weekend continues to increase in the central and northwestern Bahamas and along the Florida east coast, although it is too soon to determine where these hazards will occur. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and not focus on the exact forecast track of Dorian’s center.

For Labor Day travelers, no impact from Dorian is expected on the central Gulf Coast (places like Gulf Shores, Destin and Panama City Beach) over Labor Day weekend. Routine late summer weather is likely with sun and scattered thunderstorms.

As always, Spann said, these forecasts can change depending on the path of the storm.