Cross-Country Storm To Drench The Southern U.S. This Weekend

A potent, cross-country rainmaker will progress from the Desert Southwest to the East Coast. 

A much-needed rainstorm will take shape today and continue into the weekend, bringing heavy rain to the southern Plains, Mid-South, Deep South, Southwest U.S., Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. After months of persistent drought across much of the Southern U.S., this system will help replenish struggling waterways. 

Today, a strong low-pressure system will begin its journey in northern Mexico and deliver rain to much of the Desert Southwest, southern Great Basin, and Four Corners. While less than a half an inch of rain is anticipated for most of these areas, higher terrain of northern New Mexico and Colorado will see periods of heavy snow blanket their peaks. Winter Weather Advisories are in place for northern New Mexico and central Colorado where a general 4 to 8 inches of snow can be expected for these peaks above 8,500 feet. 

Overnight and into Saturday morning, the low-pressure system will quickly move northward out of Mexico and into western Texas. Heavy rain will be common in Texas, Oklahoma, and eastern Kansas. For the southern risk areas, an organized line of thunderstorms will form and begin to move eastward into the Mid-South, Deep South, and Tennessee Valley. On Saturday, over an inch of rainfall is anticipated from Texas to Mississippi and as far north as northern Missouri. Several pockets of rainfall exceeding 2 inches may occur in eastern Texas, Arkansas, southern Missouri, and northern Louisiana.  

On Sunday, rainfall will move further to the east into the Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. Over an inch of rainfall is possible from southern Virginia and southward to the Florida Panhandle. A few thunderstorms are possible for Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and central to northern Florida. 

From today to Sunday, the strongest storms may feature damaging winds, torrential downpours, and localized flooding. Remember, if you approach a roadway covered in water, follow a simple motto – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”