Southeast Braces for Rain, Thunderstorms, and Potential Wintry Mix

The parched southeastern U.S. will be on the receiving end of a much-needed rain event through the weekend. While most of the moisture will fall as rain, the far northern edge of the system may run into temperatures cold enough to produce snow. Here is a look at what to expect in the days ahead for this corner of the country.

Dry Landscape Across Southeast Set to Receive Much-Needed Moisture

A storm is coming together quickly across the lower Mississippi Valley to end the week, threatening heavy rain for the Gulf Coast and beyond through the end of the weekend. The northern fringe of this storm will likely produce a mix of snow and sleet. While the weather maker will inevitably trigger travel disruptions, the moisture is good news for a part of the country that has been grappling with abnormally dry to drought conditions over the last few months.

How dry has it been? Birmingham, Alabama, notched just 18% of its typical December rainfall amounts. The city in the northern part of the state recorded 0.86 of an inch of rain, compared to the average of 4.87 inches for the month. Although a constant surge of rain is not as important in the winter months when compared to the hot summer season, the lack of moisture has increased the threat of wildfires. This threat has been particularly worrisome when the temperatures inch up to levels over the historical norm.