Days of downpours to soak southern US in record-breaking stretch of wet, stormy weather
The South is no stranger to afternoon thunderstorms during the summer. However, this stretch of precipitation will be notable even for them as cities brace for what could be the longest stretch of consecutive wet weather in decades.
Southern US faces days of downpours that could lead to flooding
Day after day of rain across the southern U.S. is raising concerns about the potential for flooding in parts of the region next week.
Nearly the entire southern U.S. is undergoing a prolonged stretch of wet weather that could set records in cities like New Orleans and Atlanta, thanks to a stalled front that will trigger numerous rounds of torrential rain and thunderstorms from the Southeast to the mid-Atlantic.
The South is no stranger to afternoon thunderstorms during the summer. However, this stretch of precipitation will be notable even for them as cities brace for what could be the longest stretch of consecutive wet weather in decades.
Flash Flood Warnings were in effect across New Orleans as thunderstorms dropped heavy rain on southern Louisiana on Thursday. Footage taken by Noah Scheeler showed cars driving along flooded roadways in the Big Easy.
Cars plow through inches of floodwater after heavy rain in New Orleans
Flash Flood Warnings were in effect across New Orleans as thunderstorms dropped heavy rain on southern Louisiana on Thursday.
"All of next week looks wet too," FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "It doesn't mean it's going to rain for the next 10 days, but what it means is that over the next week and a half, you likely will experience some sort of downpour popping up every single day."
The front that is stuck across the region is serving as the focus of downpours while the circulation around a persistent upper-level disturbance over the central U.S. continues to pull in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, the FOX Forecast Center said.
"Those downpours can lead to quick street flooding and some water collecting in low-lying areas," Merwin adds, noting widespread rainfall totals could reach 1-3 inches across the South through the weekend.
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(FOX Weather)
With the rain continuing, several cities across the region could see some record-breaking wet weather.
New Orleans, for example, has recorded rain over the past four days, and rain is forecast for the next two weeks. If that occurs, it will tie their record for most consecutive days with rain at 16.
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Atlanta, too, could set a record. The city is expected to receive rain over the next two weeks, and if that is true, it will break its record for the most consecutive days with rain. The current record is 14 days, set in July 1994, as well as July 1916.
Pensacola in Florida, and Birmingham in Alabama could also see records broken if rain is recorded every day for the next two weeks.
Work week promises more heavy rain
A new week will bring even more rain as the upper-level disturbance stuck over the central states only deepens and even greater amounts of tropical moisture are brought north, the FOX Forecast Center said.
"It’s going to feel tropical," Merwin said. "Don’t worry about having perfect hair stepping out fresh from the shower because it’s going to be juicy, it’s going to be wet, and you’re going to want to make sure you have your umbrella with you."
With multiple days of rain already wetting the soils, the risk for flash flooding may become even more widespread.
(FOX Weather)