Unrelenting winds and severe weather will continue across portions of the South to the Ohio Valley today.
A stationary front that has stretched from the southern Plains to the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic will finally start to become dislodged today as a strong area of low pressure moves from Texas into the Lower Mississippi Valley. With plenty of warm and humid air in place ahead of this front and low pressure system, additional rounds of heavy rain and severe storms will occur this weekend.
The government's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe storms across portions of eastern Texas to western Alabama and northward through Kentucky and far southern Ohio. Within this area, an Enhanced Risk can be found across eastern Texas, much of Louisiana, western and northern Mississippi, southern and eastern Arkansas, and western Tennessee.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect early this morning across northwestern Tennessee into northeastern Arkansas.
All modes of severe weather will be possible today, including damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, golf ball-sized hail, and large and destructive tornadoes. Some cities at risk include Lufkin, Texas, Shreveport, La., Little Rock, Ark., Jackson, Miss., Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky.
The severe weather threat will shift eastward for Sunday as the low pressure system drags a cold front eastward. A Slight Risk is found across extreme southeastern Louisiana, southeastern Mississippi, much of Alabama, the western panhandle of Florida, and northwestern Georgia. This includes cities such as Mobile, Ala. and Atlanta.
The main threat from severe storms on Sunday will be damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and isolated tornadoes.
In addition to the severe thunderstorms, rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall will continue this weekend and will result in flooding. Flood Watches remain in place from northeastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma northeastward into Ohio, West Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania, where 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected. Localized rain amounts of over 10 inches will be possible! Remember, if you approach a roadway covered in water, it is best to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.
The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”
