Erupting thunderstorms dance across the South with drenching rain, strong winds
By
Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Jan 23, 2020 10:29 AM EDT
As a slow-moving storm system continues to track across the Midwest and Ohio Valley into late week, showers and thunderstorms are expected to erupt across the South.
The cold air that was in place across the South, which caused iguanas to fall from trees in Florida, will begin to erode away along the Gulf Coast Thursday as air from the Gulf of Mexico slowly tracks inland. This warmer and more humid air mass will act as fuel for potential thunderstorms in the area.
The threat for strong to severe thunderstorms will likely be confined to a small corridor into Thursday night, generally along and south of Interstate 10.
Cities at risk for strong thunderstorms into the overnight hours include New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, and even Pensacola, Florida.
Mariners planning a trip on Lake Pontchartrain, the Mobile Bay or out in the open waters of the Gulf will want to keep an eye on the sky and have a weather radio on board for the threat of thunderstorms. Gusts in excess of 34 mph, near zero visibility and even a stray waterspout or two are all possible.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Farther north, generally north of Interstate 10, a steadier rain with a few embedded rumbles of thunder can be expected as the storm system sweeps through the region. Frequent bouts of wet weather across much of the lower Mississippi River Valley have led to a wetter-than-normal start to the year and the wet weather in the forecast will only bump those numbers up.
Many cities across the Deep South, including Jackson, Mississippi; Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama; and even Atlanta, Georgia, could receive upwards of an inch of rainfall before or during the Friday morning rush hour, which may result in ponding on area roadways.
As the storm system continues to trek eastward, the threat for heavy showers and thunderstorms will target the Southeast Friday.
As temperatures rise, so will the threat for stronger thunderstorms across portions of the Southeast.
"The front will continue into the Southeast into Friday night and bring the threat of some damaging wind gusts, torrential downpours and even a rogue tornado," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards said.
Columbia, South Carolina, as well as Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina, may face the threat for torrential downpours, gusty winds and lightning as storms pass through.
During the late afternoon and evening hours, motorists traveling on Interstate 95 may experience travel disruptions as showers and storms track through the area.
With the exception of an early morning shower or thunderstorm over the Outer Banks, drier air will filter into the Deep South and Southeast to start the weekend. Along with the dry conditions, a fresh shot of chilly air will filter in as well.
Dry and settled conditions may be short-lived however, as AccuWeather meteorologists are tracking yet another disturbance that may dampen plans along the western Gulf Coast on Sunday.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Severe Weather
Erupting thunderstorms dance across the South with drenching rain, strong winds
By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Jan 23, 2020 10:29 AM EDT
As a slow-moving storm system continues to track across the Midwest and Ohio Valley into late week, showers and thunderstorms are expected to erupt across the South.
The cold air that was in place across the South, which caused iguanas to fall from trees in Florida, will begin to erode away along the Gulf Coast Thursday as air from the Gulf of Mexico slowly tracks inland. This warmer and more humid air mass will act as fuel for potential thunderstorms in the area.
The threat for strong to severe thunderstorms will likely be confined to a small corridor into Thursday night, generally along and south of Interstate 10.
Cities at risk for strong thunderstorms into the overnight hours include New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, and even Pensacola, Florida.
Mariners planning a trip on Lake Pontchartrain, the Mobile Bay or out in the open waters of the Gulf will want to keep an eye on the sky and have a weather radio on board for the threat of thunderstorms. Gusts in excess of 34 mph, near zero visibility and even a stray waterspout or two are all possible.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Farther north, generally north of Interstate 10, a steadier rain with a few embedded rumbles of thunder can be expected as the storm system sweeps through the region. Frequent bouts of wet weather across much of the lower Mississippi River Valley have led to a wetter-than-normal start to the year and the wet weather in the forecast will only bump those numbers up.
Many cities across the Deep South, including Jackson, Mississippi; Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama; and even Atlanta, Georgia, could receive upwards of an inch of rainfall before or during the Friday morning rush hour, which may result in ponding on area roadways.
Related:
As the storm system continues to trek eastward, the threat for heavy showers and thunderstorms will target the Southeast Friday.
As temperatures rise, so will the threat for stronger thunderstorms across portions of the Southeast.
"The front will continue into the Southeast into Friday night and bring the threat of some damaging wind gusts, torrential downpours and even a rogue tornado," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards said.
Columbia, South Carolina, as well as Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina, may face the threat for torrential downpours, gusty winds and lightning as storms pass through.
During the late afternoon and evening hours, motorists traveling on Interstate 95 may experience travel disruptions as showers and storms track through the area.
With the exception of an early morning shower or thunderstorm over the Outer Banks, drier air will filter into the Deep South and Southeast to start the weekend. Along with the dry conditions, a fresh shot of chilly air will filter in as well.
Dry and settled conditions may be short-lived however, as AccuWeather meteorologists are tracking yet another disturbance that may dampen plans along the western Gulf Coast on Sunday.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo