Following two rounds of harsh winter weather in the Midwest and East earlier this week, a new threat loomed as heavy rain and severe storms on Thursday posed a danger to areas in the Southeast, raising concerns about potential flooding. As a fresh winter storm made its way across the northern part of the country, AccuWeather warned of thunderstorms in parts of the Florida Panhandle, southeastern Alabama, and Georgia that could bring intense downpours and strong winds. The Central Gulf Coast experienced severe thunderstorms the previous night, leading to gusts that toppled trees and the possible formation of tornadoes, according to forecasters. Meanwhile, regions in Virginia and West Virginia, which had recently received up to a foot of snow, were now at risk of rapid melting due to rain and mixed precipitation. AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham highlighted the flood threat in the Ohio Valley, central Appalachians, and the Mid-Atlantic, where rain coupled with melting snow and potential ice jams could lead to flooding. In Georgia, heavy rain, flash flooding, and severe thunderstorms were anticipated, with river flood warnings in place in parts of Atlanta and minor flooding already impacting some areas. Another concern was the atmospheric river targeting Southern California, where heavy rain raised fears of flooding in areas previously affected by wildfires. The potential for a third storm was also on the horizon, as forecasters predicted a strong Pacific storm moving through the Mountain West and escalating into a significant winter event across the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast over the weekend. The diversity of snow types experienced in different areas was highlighted, with powdery snow favored by skiers and wet snow presenting challenges for shoveling but ideal for building snowmen, the distinction primarily influenced by air temperature.
According to an online report from CompuWeather, the infrared temperature in the vicinity of the surface has risen above freezing, resulting in the snowflakes undergoing partial melting even before they reach the ground. This phenomenon, as explained by meteorologist Eric DeRoche from CompuWeather, causes the snowflakes to stick together and easily adhere to various outdoor surfaces, leading to their accumulation. The melting snow coupled with heavy rains could potentially pose significant challenges for certain regions in the United States. For more information, visit the original article on USA TODAY by Doyle Rice, with contributions from Susan Miller.
