Massive cross-country storm targets Southeast with severe weather before slamming millions along East Coast
The greatest severe weather risk Wednesday covers parts of East Tennessee, eastern Alabama, southwestern North Carolina, northwestern South Carolina and much of northern and central Georgia, including Atlanta.
Cross-country storm threatens Southeast with severe weather before slamming across East Coast
A powerful cross-country storm is charging eastward, threatening parts of the Tennessee Valley, the Southern Appalachians and Georgia with heavy rain and severe weather before slamming millions of people across the East Coast with downpours beginning Thursday.
THE TAKEAWAY
- A powerful cross-country storm is threatening parts of the Tennessee Valley, the Southern Appalachians and Georgia with heavy rain and severe weather Wednesday.
- Heavy rain is expected to arrive along the East Coast Thursday, with downpours forecast to stall over the I-95 corridor late Thursday into Friday.
- The massive system will reach the East Coast Thursday and is expected to have impacted more than 35 states and 120 million people by the end of the week.
A powerful cross-country storm is charging eastward, threatening parts of the Tennessee Valley, the Southern Appalachians and Georgia with heavy rain and severe weather before slamming millions of people across the East Coast with downpours beginning Thursday.
This same system caused widespread flooding across the Four Corners region over the weekend that left at least one person dead in Arizona, with more than 35 states and 120 million people expected to be affected by the storm system by the end of the week.
(FOX Weather)
Showers and thunderstorms raced across the Midwest and Mississippi River Valley early Wednesday as the area of low pressure moves over the Great Lakes through the day.
The heaviest rain is expected across parts of the Tennessee Valley, where a Level 1 out of 4 risk of flash flooding is in effect across East Tennessee and eastern Kentucky.
The greatest severe weather risk Wednesday covers parts of East Tennessee, eastern Alabama, southwestern North Carolina, northwestern South Carolina and much of northern and central Georgia, including Atlanta.
Damaging wind gusts are expected to be the main threat, but isolated tornadoes are possible, beginning late Wednesday morning.
Heavy rain targets East Coast
(FOX Weather)
Rain is expected to reach parts of the East Coast early Thursday, potentially setting up a wet morning commute across the Northeast.
"Widespread rainfall totals over an inch or more are possible across the Northeast, with localized amounts approaching 2-3 inches from eastern Virginia, Maryland and portions of southeast New England," the FOX Forecast Center said.
A Level 1 flash flood risk stretches from New York City through Boston and into Portland, Maine, on Friday.
(FOX Weather)
Much of the Northeast has seen its longest dry streak of the year. New York City, Philadelphia and Boston have all gone over 2 weeks without measurable rain, with drought conditions ongoing across New England, particularly Maine.
The rain could help ease dry conditions, although downpours may cause minor flooding.
COULD SUPER EL NIÑO INFLUENCE THE POLAR VORTEX TO DO SOMETHING IT'S NEVER DONE BEFORE THIS WINTER?
Heavy rain could linger into Saturday morning across the Northeast.
Intense flooding lingers across the Southwest
Severe storms raced across the South Tuesday, prompting Tornado Warnings across northern Louisiana.
FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic captured footage of a tornado that touched down in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, late Tuesday morning.
Confirmed tornado touches down in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, Nov. 3, 2026.
(FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic / FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, parts of the Southwest are still reeling from flooding this past weekend.
Roads remain closed due to residual flooding and damage left behind by historic floods.
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Police in Flagstaff, Arizona, said they are investigating a second death as potentially being weather-related after finding a body in a stormwater drainage area on Monday.
San Juan River violently flows with flooding in Colorado
The San Juan River flows violently amid flooding in Colorado as widespread storms hit the region on Monday.
Evacuations remain in effect in communities near the San Juan River in New Mexico and Colorado.