Floods, Severe Weather Target South in January 2024

Persistent Storms Bring Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Severe Weather Threats

The southern tier of the United States faced a barrage of severe thunderstorms and flooding rains throughout January 23, 2024. This ongoing weather pattern posed significant risks, including flash flooding, damaging wind gusts, and the potential for tornadoes.

Days of Drenching Rain

The week began with days of heavy downpours across Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Tyler, Texas, received over 2.5 inches of rain from Sunday to Wednesday, while College Station, Texas, saw more than 5 inches in less than four days. This persistent rainfall saturated the ground and created conditions ripe for flooding.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys warned of the ongoing threat, stating, “Rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the southern tier of the country through the weekend.” A persistent wind flow from the Gulf of Mexico fueled the storm, bringing extra moisture along the Gulf Coast.

Storm’s Path and Impact

As the storm tracked eastward through Thursday, it spread thunderstorms and rain to cities like New Orleans, Nashville, and Atlanta. The lingering effects of the storm were expected to be felt along the Atlantic coast through most of Friday.

The potential for severe weather intensified on Thursday, with damaging wind gusts and the risk of tornadoes for cities such as Birmingham, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; and New Orleans. Areas repeatedly hit with downpours were at high risk of flash flooding and substantial rainfall totals.

Rainfall amounts through Thursday night were forecast to exceed 4 inches from Texas to northern Mississippi. Isolated areas could even receive up to 18 inches of rainfall, most likely in far-eastern Texas and northern Louisiana.

Transportation and Travel Impacts

The persistent downpours led to reduced visibility and roads covered in water, causing travel disruptions. Motorists were advised to allow extra time for their commutes and be prepared for potential delays.

Brief Respite and Another Round of Wet Weather

While rain and thunderstorms lingered from the Carolinas to the Florida Panhandle on Friday, parts of the lower Mississippi River Valley experienced a brief reprieve from the wet weather. However, another round of precipitation was forecast for the weekend.

A new storm system was expected to develop late Friday or Friday night in Oklahoma and Texas, bringing more rain and thunderstorms to the South Central and Southeast states. The core of the storm and the potential for wintry precipitation would move northward, while rain and thunderstorms were predicted to sweep from Texas to the Carolina and Florida coasts into Sunday.

Unlike the previous storm, this late-week system was expected to move more quickly, resulting in lower rainfall totals, generally limited to an inch or two.

Severe Weather Potential and Ongoing Drought

Despite the lower rainfall totals, AccuWeather meteorologists highlighted the potential for severe weather, including damaging wind gusts and the risk of tornadoes, from the Florida Panhandle to North Carolina on Saturday and Saturday night.

Flooding remained a primary concern due to frequent downpours and recent heavy rain. While severe weather and flash flooding posed immediate threats, the region’s ongoing drought meant the rain could benefit the area in the long term.

Portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee had been experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, the two most severe drought categories, for much of the winter. Although conditions had improved in some places like southern Louisiana since November, others had worsened.

A dry period was forecasted for the final days of January, allowing the ground to absorb the rainwater from the week’s events. Once this occurs, the rain is likely to improve conditions by alleviating the drought.

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