Widespread Severe Not Expected; Locally Heavy Rain Across California This Week

January 5,2016
No widespread severe weather is expected through this week across the country, though an isolated severe storm or two cannot be ruled out near the California coast on Wednesday and along the Gulf Coast through midweek.
Otherwise, parts of California may see locally heavy rainfall this week as a series of storm systems impact the West Coast. Although moisture is much needed to ease the ongoing drought, some flash flooding has already occurred and may continue over the next few days.
(MORE: Floods Close Highways, Strand Motorists in California)
Meanwhile, across parts of the Middle to Lower Mississippi Valley, significant to, in some cases, historic flooding may persist into early in the coming week. This comes on the heels of what was the wettest month of December on record over parts of the region. While the week should start dry in those locations, additional rainfall is anticipated later in the week.
(MORE: Major Flooding in the Mississippi River Valley)

Severe Weather Forecast

Thunderstorm Forecast

Wednesday

• The next round of heavy rain will affect portions of California posing a risk for localized flash flooding.
• A few thunderstorms may develop across East Texas at night, although widespread severe weather is not expected.

Thursday

• Locally heavy rain may persist across Southern California early in the day, before shifting east across the Southwest.
• Scattered thunderstorms and areas of heavy rain are forecast to develop across the Lower to Middle Mississippi Valley, posing a threat for additional river flooding.
• An isolated severe thunderstorm or two cannot be ruled out across southern Louisiana and coastal sections of Mississippi to Alabama.

Friday Through Sunday

• Additional rounds of locally heavy rain will continue to affect portions of California into this weekend.
• A few thunderstorms are possible from Florida into the Carolinas, but the severe risk currently appears fairly low.

Rainfall Forecast

Current Radar with Watches and Warnings

(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)

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PHOTOS: Late-December 2015 Tornadoes and Flooding