Much-needed rain is finally reaching parts of the Deep South and Southeast as multiple storm systems push through. This moisture is critical as much of the Southern U.S. is experiencing drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme and exceptional, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
However, a fast-moving cluster of storms has heightened flash flood risks and is bringing severe weather threats, primarily large hail and damaging winds, to the region.
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Ahead of the building flash flood threat, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has increased the severe storm threat level to a 3 out of 5 for Wednesday.
Cities in the bullseye include San Antonio, Texas; Alexandria, Louisiana; and Jackson, Mississippi, with the entire threat zone stretching to the Southeast coastline.
While the primary threat will be large hail and damaging winds, the FOX Forecast Center said a tornado cannot be ruled out.
The cold front responsible for these storms will only be making slow progress and will likely linger into Thursday.
And even without a well-defined low or concentrated area of heavy rain, the moisture will still be welcome.
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After that, another disturbance will likely begin in Texas and brush along the Gulf Coast through the weekend.
Additional heavy rain is expected with flash flooding becoming possible.
On the flip side, this rain will provide critical relief to areas experiencing some of the most severe drought conditions in the country.
Currently, 100% of Arkansas is in a drought, with over 90% of the state classified as severe to exceptional.
Year-to-date, Little Rock is facing a deficit of nearly 8 inches, marking one of its driest starts to a year on record, the FOX Forecast Center said.
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Memphis and Nashville are seeing similar deficits, running 9 and 7 inches below average, respectively.
In southeast Georgia and northern Florida, extreme drought has fueled a historic and devastating wildfire season.
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Two massive blazes—the Highway 82 fire and the Pineland Road fire—have already destroyed over 120 structures, marking the most destructive wildfire event in Georgia's history.
With deficits reaching 16 to 20 inches over the past year in these regions, any rainfall will be beneficial and may aid efforts to contain the fires.
Through the weekend, a widespread 2 to 3 inches of rain is expected from Texas through Georgia.
Within this zone, a large swath of 3 to 5 inches is forecast from central Texas through Alabama, with localized amounts possibly exceeding 5 inches.
Due to heavier rainfall rates and the potential for trailing storms over the same areas, the risk of flash flooding will increase into the latter part of the week.
On Thursday, a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk is in place across central Texas, expanding on Friday to include areas from eastern Texas through Alabama.
This threat spans more than 1,000 miles and impacts nearly 10 states.
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That said, additional severe storms are likely each day as the flash flood threat ramps up, but overall the storms will not pose the same threats compared to the past week of severe storms, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Be sure to stick with FOX Weather for the latest updates on this cluster of storms.
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