Dangerous setup for tornadoes and flash flooding in south-central US this weekend
As the risk of severe thunderstorms shifts east on Sunday, thunderstorms packing strong wind gusts and flash flooding will extend from central Florida to southern New Jersey.
The second week of February brought wild weather across the U.S., leading to some incredible videos. These are just a few.
A dangerous weekend unfolded across the lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys when severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours blasted the region Saturday, endangering lives and property. More severe weather is on the way for the Southeast on Sunday.
Ahead of a push of cold air on Sunday, the potential for thunderstorms packing strong wind gusts and flash flooding will extend from northern and central Florida to Maryland, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
While not as strong as Saturday's severe weather, thunderstorms can still pack a punch along the East coast, and there can be an isolated tornado or two.
AccuWeather meteorologists have an area of coverage outlined for a some to moderate risk of severe thunderstorms.
Flooding is also a serious threat from this storm
The storm will continue to bring heavy rainfall to a broad area.
Much of the region from northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas to southern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania and much of West Virginia will receive 2-4 inches of rain from Friday night to Sunday morning, leading to urban and small stream flash flooding.
While the rain is mostly over, parts of Tennessee and Kentucky have already received 4-8 inches of rain from the storm.
Rainfall of this intensity, much of which fell in 12-24 hours, combined with prior rain from last week, is leading to significant rises on rivers. Moderate to major flooding is forecast for multiple secondary rivers in Kentucky and Tennessee. The combined rainfall from last Monday to this Sunday may reach 20 inches in some locations.
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Life-threatening flooding can continue in urban and hilly areas where water levels on small streams and neighboring roads may rise several feet in a matter of minutes. As of Sunday morning, over a 400-mile stretch of Flash Flood Warnings was in effect from far northern Tennessee to western West Virginia, an indication that serious flooding was underway.
Motorists are strongly urged not to attempt to drive through flooded roads. Water levels may still be rising, and the road beneath may have been washed away.
While flooding on small streams will be almost immediate, levels on the progressively larger rivers in the region may continue to rise well into early week. Officials may need to take preventative action in some communities or be prepared to act quickly as waters rise.
AccuWeather meteorologists are closely watching the progress of a new storm that will arrive next week and can bring snow and ice to drenching rain and severe thunderstorms in parts of the eastern half of the United States.
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