Dangerous thunderstorms will continue to rumble through the Deep South this evening.
Low pressure across the Deep South this evening is feeding off humidity from the Gulf as it reaches the moisture-rich environment. This will help to fuel more thunderstorm development throughout the rest of today, some of which could reach severe levels.
The greatest risk for severe thunderstorms will be found from northern Mississippi to central Alabama, central Georgia, and far western South Carolina. This area, including the cities of Chattanooga, Tenn., Tupelo, Miss., Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta will be likely to see damaging winds and large hail. Large hail and wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph will be the threat from as storms reach eastern Tennessee and Georgia.
Severe Thunderstorm Watches are in effect for central and northern Mississippi and Alabama and northern Georgia. Cities included in these watches are Greenwood and Tupelo, Miss., Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Muscle Shoals and Huntsville, Ala., Chattanooga, Tenn., and Atlanta and Athens, Ga.
Today’s storms will chug through an area that received as much as 12 to 15 inches of rain last weekend, and so rivers and streams remain at unusually high levels. Fortunately, this storm will move relatively quickly through the region, limiting rainfall to less than an inch.
Flood Warnings remain in place across the Mississippi Valley, as any amount of rain will exacerbate the risk for flooding. If you come across water in the road, do not attempt to cross it as it is likely deeper than it appears. Remember, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
The storm system will then slow down as it reaches the East Coast, spinning northward along the Interstate 95 corridor to bring heavy rainfall to the drought-stricken Northeast on Friday and Saturday. A few inland locations may even see wet snowflakes mixing in with the rain.
