The southern United States is bracing for another round of severe weather this weekend, with the potential for tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall leading to widespread flooding. This comes on the heels of severe storms that brought tornadoes to Mississippi and Alabama on Wednesday.
AccuWeather meteorologists are warning of a significant severe weather and flood risk across the South Central and Southeast states, potentially the most impactful since last fall.
On Saturday, the severe weather threat will ramp up across the South Central states, with the potential for severe thunderstorms extending from the upper Texas coast to central and eastern Kentucky. Cities like Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Nashville, Pensacola, and Birmingham are all in the potential path of these storms.
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The most potent storms are predicted to occur in northeastern and central Louisiana, central Mississippi, and central Alabama. These storms could produce strong tornadoes, capable of staying on the ground for an extended period and causing significant damage.
By Sunday, the severe weather threat will shift towards northern Florida, the Carolinas, and Virginia, bringing the potential for damaging winds and flooding downpours.
In addition to the severe weather threat, heavy rainfall is expected across a broad area, with the potential for life-threatening flash flooding. Rainfall amounts of 4-8 inches are possible in some areas, with localized amounts up to 13 inches. This, combined with saturated ground from previous storms, could lead to widespread flooding in urban areas and along small streams and rivers.
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“The risk of flooding may also extend into portions of the Ohio Valley, central Appalachians, and the mid-Atlantic, where rain combines with melting snow and ice jams on area streams and rivers,” warned AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay alert to weather updates, prepare for potential flooding, and heed any warnings or evacuation orders issued by local authorities.
Looking ahead to the middle of next week, another storm system could bring additional rain and severe weather to the region.
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