Southern US storms to raise flood, severe weather threat into Christmas Eve

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

December 21,2015; 10:36PM,EST

 

 

A series of storms will move across the eastern half of the United States into Christmas Eve and trigger the potential for flooding rainfall and locally severe storms across the Southern states.
Locations from the central Gulf Coast to the western Carolinas are at risk for the heaviest rain that may trigger flash flooding.
"From Monday into Christmas Eve, parts of the Gulf Coast could see 4 to 5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
"While this rain will fall over the span of three to four days, flooding will still be a concern given how wet it has been recently," Pydynowski said.

Rainfall across the rest of the Eastern states will generally range from 0.50 of an inch to 1.00 inches with localized totals of 2 inches into Christmas Eve.
Some of the cities at risk for potential flooding include Tallahassee and Pensacola, Florida; Monroe and Alexandria, Louisiana; Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi; Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Atlanta and Macon, Georgia; Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina; Charlotte and Asheville, North Carolina.
"This amount of rain will certainly be enough to cause some flooding issues and create headaches for those traveling to visit friends and family for Christmas," Pydynowski said.
Those traveling along interstates 10, 20, 55, 59, 65, 75 and 85 will be facing days of heavy rainfall and reduced visibility.

Floodwaters sweep woman off her feet as she crosses the street

Rain jackets and umbrellas will be needed for those doing any last minute shopping for the Christmas holiday.
Mild air will accompany the rain during the week. Temperatures will range between 10 to 30 degrees above average in most places and will challenge record-high temperatures.
The surge of warm air for December will also lead to thunderstorms.
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Following localized severe weather along the central Gulf Coast on Monday night, a more widespread area of severe thunderstorms could develop on Tuesday and Wednesday in the South.
The potential includes storms with damaging wind gusts and perhaps a few isolated tornadoes.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, "The risk of gusty to locally damaging thunderstorms will be centered from northeastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma to weather parts of Louisiana and Arkansas on Tuesday."
"During Wednesday areas from eastern Louisiana and Arkansas to Mississippi and western portions of Tennessee and Alabama will be at risk," Sosnowski said.
Locally gusty thunderstorms may extend as far north as the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes on Wednesday.
Drivers are urged to reduce speeds during episodes of heavy rain and ponding on roadways to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.

Never drive through a flooded roadway. Less than 10 inches of flowing water can wash vehicles away.
Keep track of the rain moving across your area by using ​AccuWeather Minutecast®. Mobile users can use their GPS location.
A greater threat for severe thunderstorms may follow next week.
"As a major storm is forecast to roll across the southern Rockies, the risk of a significant outbreak of severe weather may increase over the South Central states prior to the start of 2016," Sosnowski said.
"The days of greatest concern would be Sunday, Dec. 27, over the southern Plains and Monday, Dec. 28., over the Mississippi Valley."
Thus far in 2015, there have been only 10 tornado-related fatalities in the United States, which is significantly lower than the 20-year average.