Holiday weekend cross-country storm threatens millions across the South with flooding, severe weather

Outside those hazards, this rain will be beneficial for many places across the region which are abnormally dry — with some cities in the midst of some of their driest winters on record.

A powerful cross-country storm is expected to bring heavy rain, as well as the threat of flooding and severe weather, which could complicate Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day weekend plans for millions across parts of Texas and the South. 

Outside those hazards, this rain will be beneficial for many places across the region which are abnormally dry — with some cities in the midst of some of their driest winters on record.

South weekend storm overview
(FOX Weather)


 

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the sprawling system will move into and out of the Southwest on Saturday.

MILLIONS ACROSS THE SOUTH FACE BREWING CROSS-COUNTRY STORM AS FLOOD THREAT INCREASES

As the storm system moves across the Deep South and onto the Southeast coast through Presidents' Day, a widespread 1–2 inches of rain is expected. 

Localized pockets of 2–3 inches of rain are possible across parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia through the holiday weekend.

Places like Atlanta and Jackson, Mississippi are sitting between five and six inches below average rainfall.

Southern rain forecast Friday through Monday
(FOX Weather)


 

Rain associated with the system will bring a low-level flash flood threat from Lubbock, Texas through Joplin, Missouri on Friday.

As the storm moves into the South on Saturday, the flood threat shifts to Arkansas and increases to a Level 2 out of 4, according to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center.

Flash flood outlook.
(FOX Weather)


 

The flood threat will continue to shift east as the cross-country storm tracks into the Southeast on Presidents' Day.

CALIFORNIA SLAMMED BY MUCH-NEEDED RAIN AND SNOW, AS MAJOR WEATHER PATTERN SHIFTS

Severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon from West Texas north through central Oklahoma, as the storm system develops.

Like the flood threat, the risk of severe weather—including the possibility of tornadoes—will shift east across the Gulf Coast through the weekend.

Southern severe storm threat on Saturday
(FOX Weather)


 

On Saturday, thunderstorms could develop along a line and sweep through the major Texas metros of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio in the afternoon.

NOAA has issued a Level 2 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms that covers Houston, as well as Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Some storms ahead of the main line may try to develop into supercell thunderstorms and could produce a tornado or two.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The FOX Forecast Center said damaging winds look to be the biggest threat.

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