By Jordan Root, Meteorologist
January 31,2016; 11:28PM,EST
A significant storm will be taking shape to start February and those living in the Mississippi Valley and Deep South will want to take notice for impending severe weather on Groundhog Day.
"The severe weather event will unfold as a warm and moist air mass located along the Gulf Coast collides with a strong cold front moving east," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Becky Elliott.
The threat for thunderstorms will unfold on Tuesday with the potential for some of them to turn severe in over several states, spanning from southern Illinois and Indiana to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The strongest thunderstorms will have the potential to spin up a few tornadoes as well as damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph that could topple trees and bring down power lines.
Those living in the threat area should not be surprised if power outages occur during these thunderstorms and will want to be fully prepared if such a situation were to occur.
Making sure batteries are charged and flashlights are in working order is a good first step when preparing for severe weather.
"The main round of severe weather will come on Tuesday, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and isolated tornadoes all expected threats," warned Elliott.
"Severe thunderstorms will ramp up in the afternoon after the atmosphere has time to warm and become more prime for severe weather development," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said.
"The area at greatest risk for the outbreak of severe weather lies in between Little Rock and Nashville Tuesday afternoon and early evening," Pydynowski said. "This includes Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi."
While the above area is most at risk, a strong to severe thunderstorm could also erupt around Little Rock midday Tuesday and may threaten places northward to St. Louis and southward to New Orleans.
The main threat will likely come with a squall line which will sweep across this area packing damaging winds and a burst of very heavy rainfall. There can be quick spin-ups of tornadoes within this line of thunderstorms.
Make sure you know when the storms will hit by using AccuWeather MinuteCast®.
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The burst of rain in a short amount of time could lead to some street flooding, forcing detours on motorists and extended travel time. Those traveling on Interstates 10, 20, 40, 55, 59 will have to battle blinding downpours.
The line of storms will push eastward through Tuesday night, turning into a mainly damaging wind threat, although an isolated tornado will still not be able to be ruled out. Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and Mobile, Alabama will be in the path during this time for these storms.
While the bulk of the energy with this storm system will zip north into Canada Wednesday, there will still be a threat for flooding downpours and strong wind gusts with storms across the Southeast. Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Tampa, Florida.
Cities in the Northeast from Boston to Washington, D.C. will experience a mild but cloudy day with plenty of rain expected.
Despite the absence of thunderstorms in the Northeast, very strong winds will be in place aloft which could mix and be brought down to the surface. Loose items will be blown around and sporadic power outages are possible.
While this storm spawns severe weather in some states, it will also be responsible for bringing a blizzard to others on the northern and western side of it. This storm system will be responsible for sending an extended period of cold air into much of the northern and eastern United States for the end of the week and weekend.
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