BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — It’s too early right now to tell exactly how badly Hurricane Joaquin will hit the Northeast coastline and the Caribbean, but some Alabama meteorologists are already warning that it could have a significant impact on Saturday’s marquee football game between Alabama and Georgia.
While many weather models have the storm hitting the Bahamas and then taking a sharp right turn up to North Carolina by Sunday, one model is projecting no landfall at all. Instead Hurricane Joaquin could simply head out to sea and weaken while everyone on land breathes a sigh of relief.
But the fact that Joaquin’s winds have strengthened to 85 mph and are already being felt in the Bahamas while the hurricane is still 200 miles out, makes it advisable for those living along the East coast to take “worst case” precautions.
Meteorologist James Spann warned Wednesday of an increased chance for rain in Athens, Georgia due to Joaquin’s impending landfall this weekend, especially imprtant in light of the Alabama -Georgia game. Meteorologist Wes Wyatt also advising those with game tickets to take rain gear if headed to Athens. The game at Auburn could also have some showers as well.
Models suggesting that it would be a good idea to bring rain gear to Athens @jpdice_Fox6 @jillgilardi @WBRCnews #alwx pic.twitter.com/W2NE7qIk2f
— Wes Wyatt (@weswyattweather) September 30, 2015
Uncertainty due to Joaquin, but it looks like we need to increase the chance of rain for Saturday's Bama/Georgia game pic.twitter.com/0hyELSD0pS
— James Spann (@spann) September 30, 2015
So grab your ponchos and wear your boots if you’re planning on heading to Athens this weekend!
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the University of Georgia Bulldogs will kick off at 2:30 Central Saturday afternoon.
Follow Andrea on Twittter at @ALJTice
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