Severe Storms and Flood Risk to Impact Southern States This Weekend

ATLANTA, Georgia — A stormy pattern is expected to affect the Southern United States through this weekend and into early next week, bringing severe weather and the potential for flash flooding.

The storms are driven by mesoscale convective systems, which can produce heavy rain and severe weather. The risk of severe storms is heightened this Friday and Saturday, particularly from the Southern Plains to the Tennessee and Ohio valleys.

On Friday night, areas shaded in darker orange and red on weather maps indicate where severe storms are most probable. Locations that experience storms may face damaging winds, heavy rain, and the possibility of tornadoes, especially from the Texas Panhandle to southeast Colorado and southwest Kansas.

Additionally, isolated severe storms could develop in parts of Pennsylvania, central, and southern New England.

Flash flooding risks are present from Oklahoma to the Ohio, Tennessee, mid-Mississippi valleys, and the Northeast. Residents are advised to stay alert as heavy rainfall could quickly lead to hazardous conditions.

As Saturday rolls in, scattered thunderstorms are likely across a significant portion of the South. Those spending time outdoors should be prepared to seek shelter if they hear thunder. The regions facing the highest threat for severe storms include North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

By Sunday, severe storms are predicted to concentrate in two key locations: one near the Southeast coast extending to southeast Virginia, and the other in the Southern Plains, impacting areas such as northern Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of Arkansas. These areas may experience widespread damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding, and even isolated tornadoes.

Looking ahead to Monday and Tuesday, more storms are expected across much of the South. While forecasts are still uncertain, the potential exists for widespread rainfall amounts of at least one inch, with multi-inch totals in areas where storms persist.

For the latest updates and weather information, residents are encouraged to check weather.com and The Weather Channel App as conditions develop over the coming days.