US Braces as Another Intense Winter Storm to Hit the Southeast

The warm side of an extensive storm system traveling into the eastern United States, according to AccuWeather meteorologists, could bring an outbreak of severe thunderstorms across the Southeast on Saturday.

(Photo : Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Alabama Tornadoes

Following a couple of tornadoes in southern Alabama on Tuesday night and reports of damaging winds in Florida on Wednesday morning, the area has already had a busy week for severe weather. Although no widespread severe weather was recorded, heavy rain fell in parts of the region on Thursday.

One of the essential PGA Tour tournaments of the year, the Players Championship, began on Thursday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, but was hampered by rain.

Due to overnight rain pounding on the course, PGA officials were forced to postpone the first round tee times by one hour on Thursday. The play was halted at 11 a.m. as another round of heavy rain swept into the region, making it too risky for the players to continue.

The delays lasted nearly four hours, long enough for the players who teed off in the afternoon to conclude their game before darkness set over the course.

As golfers ended their first round on Friday morning, the region was pummeled by light rain once more. Later on Friday, heavy, gusty thunderstorms developed, dropping hail throughout southeastern Louisiana. In addition, a probable tornado was reported in Jensen Beach, Florida.

High winds were recorded over the Florida Peninsula early Saturday morning as the violent storms that hit Louisiana tore eastward. According to poweroutage.us, over 52,000 people in Georgia and over 14,000 in Alabama were without power as of Saturday morning due to the severe storms.

Also Read: Intense Storm System to Cover Parts of Northeast in Snow and Heavy Rain

Weekend Weather

To begin the weekend, severe weather is expected to return to the southeastern United States.

If the fast-moving storms release destructive tornadoes, among other risks, forecasters say it's critical to have a severe weather strategy in place and to follow prompt weather alerts.

On Saturday, the severe thunderstorm danger will move to the coast. On Saturday morning, heavy thunderstorms are expected in Savannah, Georgia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

According to AccuWeather meteorologists, there is considerable uncertainty about how far north severe weather might extend. Even the Northeast will be at risk of severe weather due to the strong storm and cold front and the energy in the upper atmosphere.

This can happen when heavy rain sends powerful winds from higher in the sky down to the surface. Even if there is no lighting or thunder, there may be heavy rain and severe winds, similar to what happened in areas of the Northeast on Monday. Regardless, when the storm system deepens, much of the East will be subjected to high winds.

Flooding

Heavy rain may cause flooding concerns in parts of the Southeast even if severe weather does not develop. Although most of the region has been experiencing drought, considerable rain has fallen this week, and more rain might result in more floods.

However, in the long run, this will aid in the relief of the recent drought. This will also help put out flames raging across Florida, notably in the Panhandle.

Forecast

On Sunday and Monday, the Southeast should get a chance to dry off before additional rain hits on Tuesday. Despite a few dry days, subfreezing temperatures in the South on Sunday morning will be a different problem.

Some plants have begun to blossom in the region, and a frost or freeze is expected on Sunday morning. Temperatures in the 30s Fahrenheit might be found as far south as Florida.

Forecasters predict that certain portions of Mississippi will be colder than Alaska on Sunday morning.

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