Non-Tropical Storm Dumping Significant Rainfall Over the Southeast

You cannot blame residents of the Southeast for getting nervous about the news of the development of Hurricane Rafael. The region is still recovering from the massive flooding event triggered by the remnants of Hurricane Helene at the end of September. However, forecasters are predicting that Rafael will not come close to approaching the rainfall amount unleashed by Helene. Here is a look at what the Southeast should expect in the days ahead.

What Impacts Will Rafael Deliver to the Southeast?

Like what happened when the remnants of Helene made their way into the interior portions of the Southeast, a preceding non-tropical rain event will set up a greater threat of flash flooding heading into the weekend. Heavy rain is forecast to expand across the interior south-central U.S. and into the Southeast over the next few days even as Rafael remains hundreds of miles off shore in the Gulf of Mexico.

The biggest difference when comparing this upcoming weather maker with the rain that hit prior to Helene in late September is where the rain is expected to fall. For instance, the torrential rain in September landed across the southern Appalachians. The upcoming moisture is predicted to fall along the coastal areas of the Southeast.

When the moisture from Helene arrived to the Appalachians, the region was already dealing with flash flooding at the hands of the preceding non-tropical event. The rainfall associated with Helene simply exacerbated the threat.

The expected path of Rafael is also going to limit its impacts. There is still a chance that the feature may move to the west across the Gulf rather than making a direct strike on U.S. soil.

Lastly, the dry landscape across the Southeast will work to quickly absorb more rain than what happened in late September. Some parts of this region have only seen isolated rain showers since Helene's exit.