Super Tuesday Threatened By Severe Thunderstorms, Rain in the South (FORECAST)

February 29,2016
On Tuesday, 13 states across the country will hold caucuses and primary elections for the 2016 presidential campaign.
Several of those states in the South are forecast to see rain and thunderstorms, possibly severe, on the warm side of Winter Storm Quo. Depending on the timing of Quo's arrival, snow and ice may cause slippery conditions for voters in Vermont, but right now it appears that the wintry weather will hold off until Tuesday night.
(MORE: Winter Storm Quo | Severe Weather Forecast)

A map showing the 13 states that will hold caucuses and primaries on Tuesday.

Below is a regional breakdown of what to expect this Tuesday.

South: Another Severe Weather Event?

The ingredients may come together for stormy conditions for much of the South, particularly from the Ark-La-Tex region, eastward into the Tennessee Valley. This setup looks nowhere near as volatile as the deadly super Tuesday tornado outbreak of 2008, nor is it expected to be as destructive as last week’s severe outbreak.
(MORE: Super Tuesday Outbreak | Feb. 23-24, 2016 Outbreak)

Tuesday's Forecast in the South

For early voters, showers and thunderstorms are expected to track from eastern Oklahoma and East Texas into Arkansas during the morning. With the storm system quickly moving east, conditions in these states should clear out by midday or early afternoon, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
The greatest risk for isolated severe thunderstorms will be near and east of the Mississippi River during the afternoon and evening. This severe weather threat includes eastern Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama, especially if breaks in cloud-cover allow for more daytime heating to fuel any storms. Damaging winds and heavy rain are the main threats, but a few tornadoes and isolated large hail may also be possible with the strongest storms.
(Cities: Memphis | Huntsville | Tuscaloosa)
Most of central and south Georgia should enjoy mild, but dry conditions through the day and highs mainly in the 70s. Showers may reach northern parts of the state early in the morning and then thunderstorms may arrive late afternoon and into the evening.

East: Snow in the New England States?

Moisture will increase along a frontal boundary draped from the Ohio Valley into the Northeast Tuesday afternoon. Any threat of snow and/or ice in Vermont will depend on the timing of the moisture moving into the cold air over New England. As of Monday night, the latest forecast guidance suggested that any significant snow may hold off until Tuesday night.
(Cities: Brattleboro | Rutland | Montpelier)

Tuesday's Forecast Across the East

The current forecast keeps much of Massachusetts dry through the day, with highs reaching into the 30s and 40s before precipitation reaches the area Tuesday night.
(Cities: Pittsfield | Greenfield | Worcester)
Conditions should remain quiet across much of Virginia, although a few rain showers may reach far western parts of the state late in the day, mainly along and west of the Appalachians. Expect highs to range from the 50s to the 60s across the state.

North-Central States: In The Clear?

As high pressure settles southward behind the departing storm system, fair and dry conditions are expected to prevail across Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota and Minnesota.

Tuesday's Forecast for the Rockies, Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

High temperatures are expected to be cooler than average from eastern North Dakota into Minnesota, where daytime highs should only reach the teens or 20s. Minnesota’s arrowhead may see temperatures stay in the single digits, making for a very chilly day to vote.
(Cities: Fargo | Bemidji)
To the west, milder conditions are likely over Wyoming and Colorado, with highs ranging from the 30s to the 50s. Sunshine dominates the forecast for Colorado, while more in the way of clouds can be expected across Wyoming.
MORE: Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of 2008