The flash flood watches have been extended from southeast Louisiana across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and a sliver of southern Virginia. Isolated heavier rainfall totals of 4 to 7 inches will be possible in the Florida Big Bend and South Central Georgia regions.
Because of several low-pressure areas spinning about in the upper-level trough, weather in the southeast will remain unsettled through the Memorial Day weekend. Because of the intensity of thunderstorms in the forecast, there is also the risk of tornadoes and potentially damaging surface gusts.
The Washington Post is reporting that flood fears have been heightened because the ground is some areas is already saturated. Montgomery, Alabama got over 8.0 inches of rain on Saturday and neighboring counties were hit with up to six inches of rainfall.
The National Weather Service reminds us that a Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding and flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. The situation with this system moving up the southeast coast is that areas will see multiple bands of heavy rainfall, and it will not take much additional rainfall to produce flash flooding along smaller creeks and streams.
The extended forecast calls for conditions to begin drying out by the weekend, other than the chance of a few showers popping up here and there. But with the clearing will come increased temperatures, expected to be in the 80’s, and high humidity. And while the rains are much-needed in areas hard hit by drought, it is still important that people remain alert to the risk of floods.
