Storm Threat Races Across Southeast Today | WeatherBug
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Storm Threat Races Across Southeast Today

March 31, 2020
UPDATED By WeatherBug Sr. Meteorologist, James West

Thunderstorms will bring the threat of severe weather this afternoon across the Southeast as a transient storm system sprints from the Lower Mississippi Valley toward the Atlantic. 

An area of low pressure is rolling across the South this afternoon, following a stationary front draped across the Southeast. Cold air has descended across the Middle Mississippi and Tennessee valleys while warm, humid air resides farther south along the Gulf Coast and Deep South. The clashing of warm and cold air masses present the perfect ingredients for severe weather, which will target the Dixie Alley today.

Rain and thunderstorms are ongoing along and ahead of a cold front across the Deep South. Storms will expand eastward across the Deep South and Southeast as the storm system races toward the Carolina coast.   

As the storm system strengthens, a strong low-level jetstream will stream gulf moisture northward. These strong winds will translate down to the surface which has prompted a swath of Wind Advisories that arc along the Gulf Coast from southern Mississippi to the Florida Big Bend. Southwesterly winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected with gusts up to 40 mph possible. These strong winds ahead of the cold front aid the development of severe thunderstorms across portions of the Gulf Coast and Southeast.

Cities including Tallahassee, Fla., Montgomery and Auburn, Ala., Columbus and Savannah, Ga., and Hilton Head, S.C., will have the threat of hail, damaging wind gusts and a few isolated tornadoes today before the storm system jump off the Carolina coast late tonight.

Tornado Watches are in effect from the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle and northern Florida northeastward into central and southeastern Georgia and southeastern South Carolina. This includes Pensacola, Fla., and Columbus, Macon and Atlanta, Ga., as well as Beaufort and Moncks Corner, S.C. 

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are also posted for Charleston, S.C., as well as Yulee, FL. until late this evening. Dangerous wind gusts up to 60 mph are accompanying the thunderstorms as they pass by. 

Since the system will be moving quickly across the South, flooding is not expected to be an issue. Thunderstorms may produce locally heavy rain over one inch in some areas, while rainfall up to an inch is possible along the Carolina coast from Myrtle Beach, S.C., northward to Cape Hatteras, N.C. 

Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors,” if you find yourself out and about during this unsettling weather. Also, make sure you know the difference between a watch and a warning. If a watch is issued, conditions are favorable for severe weather to take place. If a warning is issued, then severe weather is imminent, and you should seek shelter to prevent injuries or death.