From disruptive rain and thunderstorms to heavy snowfall, the coast-to-coast storm will unleash a wide range of hazards in the South Central and Southeastern US region. The effects will be felt through the extended Thanksgiving weekend.
As dangers such as flooding develop well over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists predict that the storm will cause a lot of delays for travelers this holiday, and Black Friday shoppers.
The first component of a double-barreled Thanksgiving weather system, an upper-level storm, swept across the western US during the first half of the week. On Thanksgiving Day, a significant storm will develop over the Mississippi Delta region southern Plains as it interacts with moisture that is moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico.
Bill Deger a senior meteorologist from AccuWeather, said that Some rain gauges in the Southeast region and the lower Mississippi Valley, particularly those in eastern Texas all the way to northern Georgia, as well as upstate South Carolina, and western North Carolina, will be filled with rain as the storm develops from Thursday to Friday.
According to National Weather Service, a Flood Watch is in effect until Saturday morning in southeastern Texas areas including Houston and Jackson.
The Second Part of the Storm
A general 4-6 inches of rain is anticipated to fall on parts of the Interstate 10 and 20 corridors, with the wettest areas receiving 12 inches of rain, as the second part of the storm overlaps the first and thunderstorms are added to the mix from Thursday through Saturday and into early Sunday.
On the Interstate 10, 20, and 40 corridors, drivers may experience poor visibility and an abundance of water. The majority of the rain will fall from Thursday night through Friday around Dallas and in two parts from later Thursday through Thursday night and once more on Friday night around Houston.
Double Batch of Rain
As one storm system shifts away and another forms, strengthens, and gathers strength farther to the eastern area, a double batch of downpours is likely to be more noticeable. The first significant amount of soaking rain is expected to fall around Atlanta from later Thursday night to midday on Friday.
Bernie Rayno, the Chief On-Air Meteorologist from AccuWeather, said that From late Saturday to Saturday night, Atlanta and much of the congested I-85 corridor will experience a significant round of precipitation, which is likely to cause travel delays. Rain and lightning are possible Saturday in the Southeast.
Florida Theme Parks
Both Friday and Saturday will have highs in the 80s in central Florida over the long Thanksgiving holiday. Florida is expected to experience thunderstorms on Friday, while showers will occasionally occur on Saturday.
Rainstorms have been frequent in recent weeks from the Ohio Valley to the Gulf Coast, causing water levels along the Mississippi River to occasionally rise. Through Friday, this system should be able to contain widespread bouts of severe thunderstorms with just a wedge of cool air.
According to The Weather Channel, chances of rain in Orlando will jump from the 20s down to 6% then back up again at 16% through the weekend.
Read also: Post-Thanksgiving Weather Will Bring Wettest Day for the Northeast US
Torrential Down Pour Risk
The threat of torrential downpours in the Carolinas is being highlighted by AccuWeather forecasters. On Saturday, the storm might get strong enough to produce some impromptu severe weather. Just enough cold air will be drawn in on the storm's northwest flank as it intensifies to bring about a patch of heavy, accumulating snow in eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle.
Over A Foot Snow
Western Texas and eastern New Mexico will receive 6 to 12 inches of snow on average, with a maximum of 15 inches. Contrary to last week, a massive sweep of cold air is not predicted to follow the storm throughout South Central and Southeastern states, despite the southern High Plains receiving snow. Instead, from the end of this weekend to the beginning of next week, the jet stream will traverse the country from west to east.
The South Central region will experience significantly better travel conditions on Saturday, and the Southeast on Sunday afternoon as rain shifts from the Midwest and Northeast to the South, AccuWeather reports.
Related article: Severe Weather Looms Over Hawaii as Thanksgiving Approaches, Forecast Shows Strong Damaging Winds, Scattered Showers