Southeastern U.S. Remains Under the Gun for Rain and Thunderstorms

The soggiest part of the U.S. as of late has been the Southeast. This trend will continue through the Mother's Day weekend as persistent rain showers and thunderstorms linger. Read on for the details of this wet forecast.

Stalled Storm Continues to Dump Water Over the Southeast

A dynamic storm system has stalled out over the Southeast to bring the week to a close, ushering in several rounds of rain and the threat of severe weather to the water-logged corner of the country. Although some parts of the region could still use more moisture to combat the parched areas, the rain may be too much for other communities to handle.

The rain has been coming in regular spurts across the Southeast. However, this was not the case during the winter months and into the early spring. Some of the driest parts of the region have seen drought conditions steadily escalate over the last several weeks.

Agricultural interests are bearing the brunt of the ongoing drought as the growing season is underway. This part of the country is best distinguished for crops such as peanuts, tobacco, cotton, and various grains and fruits. The lack of rainfall is also being felt on some farms. This means that any new precipitation will be welcome.

In addition, the rain is good news for water levels that have been lagging across area streams and reservoirs. The zone from northern Florida and up into the Carolinas has been struggling the most with the increasing drought concerns.

Negative Impacts of the Soggy Weather Pattern

The flip side of the double-edged sword is that the heavy rain will lead to travel disruptions at times. Those residents with outdoor plans may also need to make a plan B to celebrate Mom this weekend.

Forecasters are also warning that the rain may be heavy enough to trigger flash flooding. Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are expected for much of the Southeast. Because the rain is likely to fall over a period of a few days, the impacts will not be as severe as they could have been. However, low-lying areas and unprotected lands located near streams and rivers may experience flooding issues.

This same weather maker will also produce a strong onshore wind coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. These winds will pair with the astronomical impacts of next week's full moon to create the risk of coastal flooding. As is typical, the flooding concerns will be the highest during high tide. Communities at risk of seeing minor coastal flooding include Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

Looking at a few specific forecasts, it is going to be a difficult weekend for outdoor fun in Savannah, Georgia. This coastal city has thunderstorms in the forecast on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. The storms will come in waves with some periods of dry weather sprinkled into the mix. Savannah is forecast to see a high of about 87 degrees on Friday drop by about 15 degrees on Satruday. The mercury will tick up again on Sunday, reaching the upper 70s. Winds will hold steady at speeds of about 10 to 15 mph throughout the weekend in Savannah.

Moving farther inland, Atlanta is forecast to see the wettest day of the weekend on Saturday. The Peach City will be under cloudy skies with rain that intensifies overnight. You can expect about a half of an inch of rain after the sun goes down Saturday in Atlanta. The forecast for Saturday is also calling for a high of just 62 degrees, lows that hover in the mid 50s, and winds out of the east-northeast at 10 to 15 mph. You also cannot rule out the chance of a stray thunderstorm at some point during the day.

The forecast will improve slightly on Sunday in Atlanta. Get out early with outdoor activities as rain is back in the forecast for the afternoon and evening hours. The threat of stormy conditions will be the highest overnight. Temperature readings will climb into the low 70s for a high on Sunday in Atlanta, a difference of about 10 degrees from the day before.

The moisture machine will take longer to fire up in places to the north. For instance, the inclement conditions should hold off until late Sunday or early Monday for Raleigh, North Carolina. This part of the Research Triangle region is forecast to enjoy mostly dry conditions for the weekend with more clouds on tap for Sunday. Highs will bounce around in the mid to late 70s over the next few days.

This pattern will change on Monday in Raleigh when the city is expecting a half of an inch of rain during the day and another half of an inch added to the total overnight. Even more rain and a greater chance of storms are on the horizon for Tuesday.

We will continue to update the outlook for the Southeast heading into next week when the forecast models become more precise.

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