A week following a severe weather outbreak that tore through the southern United States, claiming the lives of four individuals, meteorologists from AccuWeather are now predicting another round of severe weather to hit the region this upcoming weekend. The forecast indicates that a powerful storm system is poised to unleash a significant amount of snow and ice across a broad expanse stretching from the Plains to the Ohio Valley. Moreover, this system is anticipated to bring about severe weather conditions further south as well.
As the storm progresses from the Plains region towards the Tennessee Valley on Sunday, it is projected to serve as the focal point for a clash between cold air originating from the Plains and warm moisture streaming in from the Gulf of Mexico. This collision of air masses is expected to provide the necessary energy to fuel the development of severe weather phenomena.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Gwen Fieweger highlighted, “A line of thunderstorms is forecasted to materialize in eastern Texas around midday on Sunday, with an escalation in intensity anticipated as they advance into Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama throughout Sunday night.”
A surge of warm air, resulting in temperatures soaring into the 70s – well above the typical historical averages for the month of January, is anticipated to precede the storm activity in cities such as Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi. The most potent storms are projected to occur within the vicinity of the Interstate 10 and 20 corridors, potentially bringing forth damaging wind gusts, hail, and intense flooding downpours. Thunderstorms may exert their impact as far north as Little Rock, Arkansas, and as far south as coastal cities like Houston, Texas, and Pensacola, Florida.
Fieweger cautioned that a number of the thunderstorms could exhibit rotation, heightening the likelihood of spawning tornadoes. Several states are still grappling with the aftermath of the severe weather incident from the preceding weekend, which unleashed over 80 tornadoes and spawned more than 150 reports of destructive winds, resulting in structural and arboreal damage.
Following the passage of these thunderstorms, a notably colder air mass is expected to infiltrate the Southern states, potentially complicating cleanup efforts necessitated by the aftermath of both rounds of severe weather disturbances. Overnight temperatures from Texas to Alabama are predicted to plummet below freezing, with the likelihood of persisting frigid conditions for multiple nights.
Subsequent rounds of Arctic air masses are anticipated to entrench the region in persistently cold conditions through at least the middle of January. For those seeking an elevated level of safety and an ad-free experience, premium subscribers on the AccuWeather app can avail themselves of advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts. AccuWeather Alerts™ are issued by expert meteorologists who maintain round-the-clock vigilance over impending weather hazards to safeguard you and your loved ones.
