A large multi-day storm system is anticipated to deliver heavy rain, strong winds, and isolated severe weather to the Deep South starting Saturday evening and lasting until Tuesday night, with forecasters warning of localized flooding and tornadoes in many states.
The most recent rainfall forecasts from WeatherBell Analytics show an extended corridor of 2 to 3 inches of rain spanning from southern Louisiana and Mississippi to central Alabama and Georgia, making this one of the wettest systems to impact the region this fall.
Heavy Rain and Severe Storms to Begin Saturday
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The event is forecast to begin Saturday night, as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico moves northward into an oncoming frontal barrier. This configuration will produce multiple rounds of thunderstorms, resulting in torrential rain, thunder, and strong gusts through early next week.
Forecasters predict that rainfall amounts may exceed:
- 2.5 to 2.9 inches in parts of southern Louisiana and Mississippi
- 2.0 to 2.3 inches across central Alabama
- 1.6 to 2.1 inches across western Georgia and the Carolinas’ upstate regions
“This isn’t just your typical weekend rain,” said one meteorologist analyzing the model data. “We’re talking about a system that’s capable of flooding roadways, knocking out power with strong winds, and producing isolated tornadoes in the Gulf states.”
Localized Flooding and Severe Weather Potential
The National Weather Service cautions that the system may cause flash floods in low-lying and poorly drained areas, particularly in southern Mississippi, southeastern Louisiana, and southwestern Alabama, where the heaviest rain bands are predicted to stall for many hours.
In addition to flooding threats, atmospheric conditions may favor severe thunderstorms with strong winds and minor tornadoes, particularly on Saturday night and Sunday.
Areas with an elevated severe weather risk include:
- Southern and central Mississippi
- Southeast Louisiana
- Southwest and central Alabama
- Western Georgia and the Florida Panhandle
These regions could see intense bursts of rain, lightning, and brief rotating storms capable of producing wind damage.
Impact on Residents
Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware throughout the weekend, as conditions are likely to deteriorate rapidly once storms come. Prolonged heavy rain could cause urban floods, traffic closures, and travel delays, particularly on key routes like I-10, I-20, and I-59.
Local emergency officials recommend:
- Charging phones and power banks before storms arrive.
- Avoiding parking beneath trees or power lines due to wind risks.
- Keeping storm kits with flashlights, batteries, and bottled water.
- Monitoring alerts from trusted weather services for potential tornado watches or warnings.
State-by-State Overview
- Mississippi: Heaviest rainfall expected in southern and central counties, possibly exceeding 2.5 inches. Flash flooding may occur in areas around Jackson and Hattiesburg.
- Alabama: Central Alabama could see up to 2.2 inches of rain with embedded thunderstorms; gusty winds may cause minor power outages.
- Louisiana: The system’s core moisture source lies here, with widespread rainfall of 2–3 inches and occasional severe thunderstorm activity through Sunday night.
- Georgia: North and central Georgia may see steady soaking rains of 1.5–2 inches, contributing to localized flooding in urban areas.
Meanwhile, Florida is predicted to continue on the periphery of the system, with lower rainfall but still strong gusts along the Panhandle.
Outlook Through Tuesday
The storm system will gradually move eastward by Monday, extending the heavy rain danger to Georgia and the Carolinas before subsiding late Tuesday night.
Behind the system, analysts predict cooler and drier air to arrive midweek, ushering in a more steady pattern until early December.
“Between the flash flood potential, gusty winds, and isolated tornadoes, this system has the ingredients for a messy few days,” meteorologists warned. “People across the Deep South should take it seriously, even if it starts as just rain.”