Severe Thunderstorms to Threaten Gulf Coast, Southeast

Brian Donegan
Published: February 13,2017
Severe thunderstorms are likely to develop along the Gulf Coast and into the lower Mississippi Valley Tuesday into Tuesday night, bringing the threat of damaging winds and a few tornadoes.
The severe threat shifts eastward into the Southeast on Wednesday, with strong winds, large hail and an isolated tornado or two all possible.

Current Radar, Watches and Warnings

(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)
Below is our latest forecast on the timing and magnitude of the severe threats Tuesday into Wednesday.

Severe Weather Forecast

Tuesday

• Forecast: Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop in southeast Texas mid- to late-morning and spread eastward through the day, eventually reaching southwest Louisiana by late afternoon and evening.
• Threats: Damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes.
• Cities: Houston | Beaumont, Texas | College Station, Texas

Tuesday's Severe Thunderstorm Forecast

Tuesday Night

• Forecast: The threat for severe storms shifts into southeast Louisiana, coastal Mississippi and Alabama and the far western Florida Panhandle Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
• Threats: Damaging wind gusts and a couple of tornadoes.
• Cities: New Orleans | Biloxi, Mississippi | Pensacola, Florida

Tuesday Night's Severe Thunderstorm Forecast

Wednesday

• Forecast: Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible in the Southeast on Wednesday, with the greatest severe threat from southern parts of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina southward across Florida.
• Threats: Damaging wind gusts, large hail and an isolated tornado or two.
• Cities: Jacksonville | Orlando | Tampa

Wednesday's Severe Thunderstorm Forecast

Severe Weather Setup

An area of low pressure will track eastward along the Gulf Coast Tuesday into Wednesday. This low's trailing cold front will interact with Gulf of Mexico moisture surging up from the south and act as a lifting mechanism for thunderstorms to develop.

The speed at which this low-pressure system slides east will dictate the timing of the severe threat. Also, the position of a warm front will determine how far north severe weather may extend.

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MORE: Severe Weather, Tornadoes in the South

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