Southern U.S. in Crosshairs for Severe Thunderstorms Beginning Monday

Posted: December 12, 2022 2:05 pm

Despite the calendar reading December, it will be severe weather making the headlines in the southeastern U.S. this week as a massive storm system moves into the eastern half of the nation.

Monday Will Start with a Bang in Some Areas of Southern U.S.

A rocky weather pattern is set to develop in the south-central U.S. before moving into the Southeast over the coming days. The same monster weather maker bringing snow and the potential of blizzard conditions to the northern Plains will send storms farther south, ushering in the risk of thunderstorms.

It will be a quiet start to the work week on Monday with warmer than usual temperatures and humid air. However, the arrival of colder and drier air into the region will provide the necessary fuel for storms to ignite by late Monday. Areas in the line of fire include northern Texas, western Oklahoma, and south-central Kansas. Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Wichita may escape the worst of the weather as they are right on the edge of the predicted impact zone.

While some storms may erupt during the late afternoon hours, the bulk of the stormy activity is forecast after the sun goes down and through the overnight hours. It is a well-known fact that storms that happen under the cover of darkness present more inherent dangers. Be sure to turn on all smartphone notifications before going to bed if you live in an area forecast to see severe weather.

Looking Ahead to Tuesday and Wednesday

The risk of stormy conditions will extend through Tuesday with more areas expected to get in on the action. Cities that may see the storms push through include Houston, New Orleans, Little Rock, and Shreveport.

This line of storms will deliver the threat of hail, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes. Winds in the neighborhood of 60 to 70 mph are on tap with gusts up to 80 mph not out of the question. The unsettled weather will also carry the threat of tornadoes and heavy rain.

It could be a treacherous drive along some parts of interstates 10, 20, 30, 49, and 55. In addition to ponding on the roadways, the storms will also bring the risk of reduced visibility. Winds are expected to whip up in parts of Missouri and into Iowa on Tuesday, creating the possibility of more travel delays.

Conditions are expected to quiet down on Wednesday, however, there may still be a few lingering showers and thunderstorms. The risks will shift eastward, putting communities in Mississippi, southeastern Louisiana, Alabama, and the western edge of the Florida Panhandle under the threat.

Storms Push Eastward on Thursday

There will be a heightened risk of flooding in the Southeast beginning late Tuesday and lasting through Thursday because this storm is a slow mover. Heavy and persistent rain will be a nuisance in an area stretching from the Mississippi River through the southeast Atlantic Coast.

You can expect widespread rainfall amounts of 1 – 2 inches in Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The hardest-hit areas may see over 3 inches of rain in just two days, triggering the risk of flooding. Cities that may measure significant rainfall over this 48-hour time period include New Orleans, Mobile, Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, and Little Rock.

The moisture of the last few weeks has been a positive development for the ongoing drought throughout the Southeast and south-central U.S. According to last week’s update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, regular moisture has improved the conditions in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

However, the downside of all of this moisture is that the saturated grounds raise the risk of flooding with the incoming system. It is more difficult for the soil to take on new moisture when it is already saturated.

Once this latest storm system moves through, you can expect cooler and drier conditions for the southern tier of the U.S. to close out the week and stretch through the weekend.

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