Friday and Saturday to Bring Severe Weather

Posted: March 24, 2023 9:00 am

A potentially dangerous weather system is pushing eastward to end the week, bringing a host of impacts to the central and southern U.S. on Friday and Saturday. The moisture associated with this storm will be enough to present a flooding risk into the early parts of next week. This is what forecasters want you to know.

Significant Severe Weather Impacts Expected on Friday

This developing system is what is left over from the storm that pounded California on Tuesday and Wednesday. The energy left from this weather maker will intensify over the central portions of the U.S. on Friday across a similar zone that experienced severe storms on Thursday. The flooding risk will be the highest in the areas to the west and the north of the bullseye of the storms.

Forecasters warn that Friday’s severe weather threat is high in an area stretching from northeastern Louisiana and southeastern Arkansas into western Mississippi. Large hail, tornadoes, and strong winds will be the primary threats. While this storm was not a significant concern a few days ago, meteorologists have gathered more data to determine that the threats could be noteworthy.

Thunderstorms that fire up in the southern Plains and into the Ohio and Tennessee valleys will bring a variety of risks. This region will be particularly prone to flash flooding.

There is also a good chance that the tornadoes could turn into long-tracked twisters, meaning that they will put several communities at risk as they stay on the ground for long periods of time.

The threat of tornadic activity will continue after the sun goes down on Friday. This means that it is important that you enable smartphone notifications before going to sleep. Taking this vital step could prove to be life-saving.

Flooding Concerns Abound

The chance of repeated rounds of heavy rain will exacerbate the flooding concerns in the Ozarks and up through the Ohio Valley. Communities that should be prepared for flash flooding include northeastern Texas, the eastern portions of Oklahoma, northern Louisiana stretching up to northern Ohio, and the western portions of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Some isolated zones will see 4 – 8 inches of rain through Friday night. This will create the chance of flooding of secondary rivers in parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. This flooding risk may not reach its peak until early next week because it typically takes a few days for the excess water to hit the secondary rivers.

The Ohio River is predicted to reach the action stage next week with minor flooding a good possibility. The middle section of the Mississippi River may see this action stage briefly as well.

The worst of the rain is not forecast to hit the area south of the Ohio River and into the northern parts of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. This lack of heavy rain will likely protect these communities from major flooding. That said, the rapidly melting snowpack near the headwaters of these rivers may accelerate the typical spring runoff heading into April.

Saturday’s Severe Weather Threat

Although Saturday will bring a lower risk of severe weather when compared to the day before, the region will not be clear of these potential storms. The greatest problems are anticipated in the Great Lakes region around eastern Indiana and into western Pennsylvania. These storm cells are likely to feature damaging winds of up to 75 mph, capable of toppling trees and power lines.

Another area of concern will be in the Southeast in the Carolinas and into southern Georgia and northern Florida. Unlike Friday’s weather impacts, Saturday’s events will be more sporadic and not as widespread. You cannot rule out the possibility of strong winds, large hail, and flooding with Saturday’s weather maker that will set up across the Southeast.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.

Recent Posts