United States

By Dan DePodwin, Meteorologist

August 08, 2012; 5:28 AM

Share |

A steamed-up window. Courtesy of Photos.com.

A rather stormy, unsettled weather pattern is taking shape across the Southeast this week. Slow-moving thunderstorms are expected to produce heavy rainfall from the Gulf Coast to Carolinas as a frontal system interacts with tropical moisture.

A sultry, steamy air mass has been entrenched across the southeastern quadrant of the nation for much of the past month. This moisture-rich air mass will fuel thunderstorm development through the workweek.

As the cold front responsible for damaging thunderstorms this past weekend sags southward, it will act as the trigger for numerous thunderstorms in the Southeast.

While the moisture-laden air mass will be one factor contributing to heavy rain, the slow-moving nature of the storms will be another. High in the atmosphere, winds will be quite weak. This will allow thunderstorms to stay nearly stationary for hours on end.

Any location that remains under a heavier thunderstorm for an extended period of time can be soaked with an inch or two of rain. While widespread flooding is not a threat, localized flooding and ponding of water on the roadways can occur.

In addition, the intense downpours can significantly reduce visibility, causing poor driving conditions. Take extra time if you plan to travel anywhere from Mississippi to Georgia to the Carolinas this week and pull off the road if conditions become treacherous.

RELATED: Lightning Risk at the PGA Championship

On Monday, the heaviest rain fell across the southern Appalachians, eastward to I-95 in the Carolinas. Residents in cities such as Charlotte, N.C., and Columbia, S.C., saw rounds of thunderstorms. Tuesday brought bouts of heavy rain closer to the coast.

If you have outdoor activities planned, the driest time of the day will be before noon. After lunch time, numerous showers and thunderstorms will create less-than-ideal outdoor conditions.

While many places in the Southeast have seen moderate rainfall in the past month or two which has helped to alleviate drought conditions, much of Georgia remains in dire need of rain.

The good news is that this week should provide drought-denting deluges to the Peach State. The rest of the Southeast should continue to have unsettled weather with mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms through the end of the week.

Drought monitor as of July 31 courtesy of NOAA. Red areas represent extreme to exceptional drought.