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Heavy rain and extreme storms might result in damaging winds and flooding this weekend as a quickly creating low strain system pushes into the Southeast. This similar system might additionally carry snow as far south as Georgia Sunday morning, as temperatures drop behind the chilly entrance.
“Heavy rain, strengthening winds, and possibly severe thunderstorms are expected to expand across the Southeast on Saturday,” the Weather Prediction Center mentioned.
A Level 2 out of 5 risk for extreme storms has been issued for Saturday throughout parts of northern Florida, the place robust to damaging winds and remoted tornadoes are attainable. Cities below this danger embody Tallahassee, Gainesville and Jacksonville. There can be a Level 1 risk for Tampa, Orlando, and Spring Hill, Florida.
“Winds will also be a concern given the strength of the low pressure system, the National Weather Service Office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, said. “There`s also the potential for gravity waves to help force stronger winds to the surface.”
Gusty winds are anticipated alongside the backbone of the southern and central Appalachians which might attain as excessive as 40 mph.
In addition to the extreme risk, a Level 2 out of 4 danger for extreme rainfall has been posted throughout parts of northern Florida, southeast Georgia, and South Carolina. Flooding is feasible from Birmingham, Alabama, to Wilmington, North Carolina, all the way down to Gainesville, Florida. Widespread rainfall totals by way of Sunday are anticipated to be between 2 and three inches, however some regionally increased quantities of 4 to six inches are attainable throughout northern Florida, together with Tallahassee, and southern Georgia, together with Valdosta.
Many southern cities, together with Tallahassee and Atlanta, shall be in danger for flooding because of the floor already being saturated due to latest rains and a moist begin to the yr.
Since January, Atlanta and Macon in Georgia, and Columbia in South Carolina have all had a surplus of two to 4 inches of rain. This will enable for saturation and water run-off to happen extra rapidly than below regular situations.
“By Saturday night into Sunday morning, heavy wet snow and/or sleet are expected to develop near/over the central and southern Appalachians when the low pressure system is forecast to further intensify and track near the Carolina coastline,” the prediction heart mentioned.
Winter climate alerts are in impact for parts of western North Carolina, jap Tennessee, western Virginia and jap Kentucky by way of Sunday.
Snow accumulation shall be usually as much as 4 inches however highest elevations, similar to Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, have the potential to see as much as a foot.
Some snow flurries will combine in with rainfall within the decrease elevations, although accumulations are anticipated to stay mild.
“There continues to be good agreement on rain changing to snow across the mountains,” the Greenville-Spartanburg workplace mentioned. “There even appears to be the potential for a brief period of snow outside of the mountains late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. The North Carolina Foothills would be in a transition zone where some accumulating snow is possible.”
The climate service workplace additionally emphasizes that whereas this arrange will be good for wintry precipitation, the dearth of chilly air to begin the weekend is the limiting issue. In different phrases, the snow forecast is unsure, however the potential is there.
Snow isn’t the one concern for the area – ice might result in journey hazards by way of the weekend as effectively.
“[We] will also have mixed winter precipitation, with some light freezing rain and sleet adding to the travel impact but lessening the potential snow totals,” the National Weather Service workplace in Blacksburg, Virginia, mentioned.
Even locations as far south as Georgia might see some snow, though don’t get your hopes up for any of it to stay to the bottom.
“It is becoming more and more likely that portions of North Georgia will see a mix of rain and melting snow throughout Sunday morning,” the National Weather Service workplace in Atlanta mentioned. “It’s possible that falling snow could be thick at times, however, with surface temperatures in the mid to upper 30s there may be a big difference in the amount of snow that FALLS, and the amount of snow that STICKS as accumulations could quickly melt.”
Source: www.cnn.com