Days of rain in store for Carolinas as Julia's moisture lingers

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

September 20,2016; 12:07AM,EDT

 

 

Julia will contribute to dreary conditions in the Carolinas as rain streams over the region through at least the first half of the week.
Despite weakening to a tropical rainstorm, Julia will be a nuisance to residents and visitors of the Carolinas and neighboring states through Wednesday.
Julia will be absorbed by a non-tropical system that will linger over the southeastern United States for most of this week.
"This pattern will feed a steady stream of tropical moisture into the Carolinas," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Brown said.

The relatively weak state of Julia will prevent damaging winds from accompanying the system. However, seas will remain choppy with a risk of rip strong currents in eastern North Carolina.
On a broader scale, Julia's moisture will contribute to periods of soaking rain streaming into the Carolinas.
Showers and thunderstorms will increase across eastern North Carolina as Julia moves inland into Tuesday.
Additional rain will spread over the Carolinas and southern Virginia during Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Steady periods of rain are likely to frequent Norfolk, Virginia, and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Rainfall within this zone will likely total 1-3 inches with locally higher amounts in the most persistent downpours.
"Some parts of the eastern Carolinas saw 2-4 inches of rain thanks to Julia last week," Brown said. "This additional rainfall could lead to some flooding."
Any flooding incidents would be isolated with low-lying and poor drainage areas most susceptible.
Even where flooding does not occur, the rain threatens to ruin outdoor activities and late-season vacation plans.
Motorists may face slower travel due to wet roads and spray from other vehicles. Any downpours will worsen the situation by further reducing visibility and heightening the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds.
Airline passengers should also prepare for possible delays.

Later this week, the downpours will become more spotty in nature as the non-tropical system lingers nearby.
The end of this week may also renew hazards to the southeastern U.S. Karl is expected to strengthen into a hurricane. Even though the system is likely to stay east of the U.S., the storm will stir up surf along the Atlantic beaches.
A strong push of cool air is forecast to help steer Karl away from the U.S. starting this weekend.