Severe Weather to Unleash its Fury Across Southern US to End the Week

Posted: April 8, 2021 12:23 pm

The severe weather lashing out in the central US on Wednesday was just the start of what is to come over the next few days in the South. Another outbreak of dangerous thunderstorms is on tap as we close out the work week and head into the weekend.

Severe Weather to Fire Up on Thursday: As the storm that blew up over the Plains and Mississippi Valley on Wednesday moves to the east on Thursday, parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle will be under the gun for heavy downpours, strong winds, and the potential of hail and isolated tornadoes. The already-soaked Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys will be in danger of experiencing flash flooding as the soaking rain continues to inundate the region.

Timing of Storms: The worst of the severe weather will likely take place late in the day Thursday and into the overnight hours. The large swath of land at risk of seeing this inclement weather includes the southern Appalachians through the central portion of the Gulf Coast. In addition to the heavy bands of rain, residents in the path of the system need to be ready for gusty winds and large hail.

Friday’s Severe Weather: The region will not be out of the woods on Friday. A new line of storms is expected to intensify as moist air from the Gulf of Mexico moves into a ridge of warm air. The approaching disturbance coming down from the Rockies and the Plains will clash with this moist and warm air to provide the ideal breeding ground for severe weather.

This threat of severe weather will pick up on Friday and continue through Saturday, providing a stormy start to the weekend. The areas most at risk to see this severe weather include eastern Oklahoma and Texas, almost all of Arkansas, northern Louisiana, and western portions of Mississippi and Tennessee. Cities that may see severe weather include Dallas, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis, and Shreveport.

Although forecasters are not expecting a significant outbreak of tornadic activity as a result of this storm system, anything is possible this time of the year. The most likely threats will come in the form of frequent lightning strikes, large hail, and damaging winds.

Saturday Forecast: As the system moves farther to the east on Saturday, the risk of storms will also move in this direction. The areas most likely to experience inclement weather on Saturday include southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, central Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and southwestern Georgia. Although it is still too early to pinpoint with great accuracy what Saturday will look like for this region, there is a strong chance of stormy weather whipping up.

This active weather pattern will move to the northeast as the weekend continues. Showers and thunderstorms are possible everywhere from the Carolinas stretching up through the mid-Atlantic and into Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware on Sunday.

Soggy Masters?: The last thing that those at The Masters golf tournament want is the threat of severe weather raining on their parade. However, this is looking more and more likely with thunderstorms in the forecast for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Augusta, Georgia. The most likely chance of thunderstorms will be Saturday evening.