Southeast and Gulf Coast Will Continue to See Wet Conditions to Start the Weekend

Posted: April 7, 2023 4:02 pm

Forecasters are warning that more rain is on the way this weekend for the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys. This additional moisture will raise the risk of flooding in this region before the threat moves into the Southeast and the Gulf Coast. Here is a detailed look at the rain predictions.

Heavy Rain Triggers Flood Watches

A slow-moving cold front moving across the Gulf Coast to end the week has been the culprit for the massive amounts of rain that has come down and that is still to fall for this part of the country. The front will linger in the Southeast until late Saturday when it finally moves out into the Atlantic. Until then, this region can expect frequent heavy downpours.

It has already been a soggy week for much of the Gulf Coast and the Southeast. For instance, Lake Charles, Louisiana recorded 6.77 inches of rain in a 24-hour period from Thursday morning through early Friday. Shreveport, Louisiana set a new daily maximum rainfall record on Thursday when the city recorded 3.07 inches of rain.

Over in Texas, the town of Lufkin shattered its previous daily record when it hit 4.2 inches of rain. As a result, multiple flood watches were issued for a large area of eastern Texas and into Louisiana.

The rain and storms are marching to the east into the weekend, bringing the persistent rain to areas such as Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. This rain will stay put through Saturday across southern portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. Widespread rain of 1 – 3 inches is in the forecast, adding to the already massive total of precipitation from the last few days.

Grounds that have been saturated beyond what is typical may not not be able to retain this additional moisture. Many river gauges across northeastern Texas and southern Louisiana have also hit minor flood stages. This could quickly trigger flash flooding issues.

The worst of Friday’s rain was centered on the southern Appalachians, particularly near the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. This could spell trouble for the many resort towns of the Smokey Mountains, including Tennessee’s Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

What Does Saturday Have in Store?

By Saturday, the rain will reach the Carolinas, bringing widespread moisture amounts of 1 – 3 inches for Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham. This wall of rain may also disrupt the 87th Masters Tournament, being held this weekend in Augusta, Georgia. Spectators should anticipate delays on Saturday with conditions improving by Easter Sunday.

The cold front is also ushering in unseasonably cold temperatures for the Southeast. Temperatures will fall to up to 25 degrees below the historical average for this corner of the country, making for a chilly Easter holiday. You can expect the mercury to start to climb back to normal levels by early next week. Until then, you will want to check your local forecast and dress appropriately.

Beachgoers in the Carolinas will likely be disappointed with the forecast for the holiday weekend. The storm system will whip up strong rip currents and potentially dangerous surf conditions. Winds will gust up to 50 mph in areas such as Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Virginia Beach until the storm system finally pushes offshore.

Forecasters are also closely monitoring a zone of low pressure that is predicted to form in the Gulf of Mexico by next week. While tropical events in the month of April are rare, meteorologists are worried that this system could take on some subtropical characteristics. This development will bring increasing amounts of rain and wind to the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Southeast by the middle of next week. You will want to keep an eye on this potential development if you live in this area.

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