Strong Storms Expected to Rattle the Southern U.S. This Week

A rash of severe storms will highlight the weather for the end of January for the southern U.S. The stormy conditions will set up across the same general area that experienced rare snowfall last week. Here is a look at this unsettled weather for the South.

Severe Storms Headed to the Southern U.S. for Rest of the Week

The potential of flooding downpours, flash flooding, and destructive thunderstorms is coming to a zone from Texas and across to the Carolinas to close out the week and the month. It has been about a week since that same region saw a major winter storm that brought life to a halt.

The upcoming storm will come with warmer temperatures, keeping the moisture falling as rain rather than snow or ice. The precipitation and energy associated with this storm are part of the same system that brought beneficial rainfall to Southern California earlier in the week and will bring up more moisture from the southern Plains as it moves to the Eastern Seaboard. The northern fringe of the storm will see wintry precipitation while the southern tier will pick up meaningful rain.

The threat of severe weather will be an ongoing issue for a swath of land extending from Texas and Mississippi and over to the southeastern coastline. The rain will first get started on Wednesday across Texas and Oklahoma with the greatest risk of severe storms not anticipated until after the sun goes down. Forecasters are warning that some of the strongest storm cells may produce small hail, locally damaging winds, and flooding downpours.

Looking at a few individual city forecasts, Dallas is forecast to see light rain to start the day Wednesday with heavier bands of moisture moving in during the evening and overnight hours. The metroplex will eventually pick up about 1 to 2 inches of rain after the sun goes down. There will be little to no change in the mercury throughout the day and night on Wednesday and into Thursday with readings holding steady in the upper 50s.

The line of rain will creep to the north but not with as much intensity. For instance, Oklahoma City is forecast to see rain showers throughout the day Wednesday with thunderstorms predicted overnight. You can expect a high of about 54 degrees and lows that slide into the upper 40s. Winds will be coming from the east-southeast at speeds of 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday's Weather Forecast Sees Storms Moving to the East

The line of rain and thunderstorms will push to the east on Thursday, racing along portions of interstates 10 and 20. This will put cities such as Little Rock under the gun for severe weather. The capital city of Arkansas is forecast to see rain showers in the evening Wednesday evolve into a steadier steady rain overnight, delivering about a half of an inch of accumulation. Thursday will bring more of the same with 1 to 2 inches of rain and thunder and lightning a good possibility.

It will also be breezy in Little Rock on Thursday with winds out of the south-southeast at 10 to 20 mph. Temperatures will remain on the mild side for this time of the year, hovering in the low to mid 60s for highs. An even greater warmup is expected by the end of the weekend with the mercury potentially breaking the 70-degree mark.

While Shreveport, Louisiana will escape with mostly straight rain on Wednesday, the chance of storms will increase on Thursday. The higher chance of storms on Thursday will come as the temperatures increase from a high in the low 60s on Wednesday to readings in the low 70s the following day. Winds will also increase on Thursday in Shreveport, hitting speeds of 15 to 25 mph from the south.

At this point, forecasters believe that Thursday's severe weather may carry a greater punch than what the region experiences on Wednesday. In addition to the garden variety small hail and gusty conditions, there is also the chance that an isolated tornado or two may spin up.