Much-needed rain targets the South, yet worst drought zones will miss out
Unfortunately, this moisture will largely bypass the areas in the greatest crisis, specifically southeast Georgia and northern Florida.
Much-needed rain coming to the South, but areas most in need will miss out
Millions across the South are expected to receive rounds of much-needed rain starting Tuesday and lasting through the week, with some spots potentially picking up 3–5 inches. But the hardest-hit drought areas in southeast Georgia and northern Florida will likely miss most of it. FOX Weather meteorologist Michael Estime breaks down what’s happening:
Rain relief is on the way for millions across the South as a pair of storm systems prepares to take aim at the region. Much of the Southern U.S. is experiencing drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme and exceptional, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
THESE EVERYDAY COMMODITIES MAY COST YOU MORE AS SEVERE DROUGHT TRICKLES DOWN TO CONSUMERS
The Deep South and Southeast are expected to see several rounds of much-needed rain, with some areas potentially receiving 3 to 5 inches through the rest of the week, depending on the storm system's track.
However, that rainfall won’t reach everyone who needs it most. The heaviest moisture is expected to bypass the hardest-hit areas. In southeast Georgia and northern Florida, extreme drought has already fueled a historic and devastating wildfire season.
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER DIES WHILE FIGHTING LARGE WILDFIRE IN FLORIDA
Beginning Tuesday, the same system bringing severe weather to the South and Tennessee Valley will stall out through Wednesday.
The cold front will only be making slow progress and will likely linger even into Thursday, and even without a well-defined low or concentrated area of heavy rain, the moisture will still be welcome.
After that, another disturbance will likely begin in Texas and brush along the Gulf Coast through the weekend.
Although there is still some uncertainty regarding the evolution of the weekend disturbance, it does appear that more rain is likely.
FLOODING TURNS DEADLY AS TEXAS REELS FROM SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL
This rain will provide critical relief to areas experiencing some of the most severe drought conditions in the country.
Currently, 100% of Arkansas is in drought, with over 90% of the state classified as severe to exceptional.
Year-to-date, Little Rock is facing a deficit of nearly 8 inches, marking one of its driest starts to a year on record, the FOX Forecast Center said.
EMERGING THREAT: OFFICIALS NOTE RECORD NUMBER OF DRONES IN RESTRICTED AIRSPACE DURING FIRES
Memphis and Nashville are seeing similar deficits, running 9 and 7 inches below average, respectively.
Unfortunately, this moisture will largely bypass the areas in the greatest crisis. In southeast Georgia and northern Florida, extreme drought has sparked a historic and devastating wildfire season.
DEADLY WILDFIRES RAGING ACROSS GEORGIA AND FLORIDA FUELED BY DRY CONDITIONS AND HISTORIC DROUGHT
Two massive blazes—the Highway 82 fire and the Pineland Road fire—have already destroyed over 120 structures, marking the most destructive wildfire event in Georgia's history.
Flames from the Pineland Road Fire create an apocalyptic scene on April 25, 2026. (Georgia Forestry Commission / FOX Weather)
With deficits reaching 16 to 20 inches over the past year in these regions, the lack of incoming rain will leave firefighters struggling to contain flames that have already scorched tens of thousands of acres.
Wildfires have been erupting across areas in Georgia. The Highway 82 Fire impacting Brantley County, triggering evacuations and school closures, was photographed early last Tuesday morning. (Glynn County Fire Rescue)
Along with the rain will come some risk of flash flooding.
On Tuesday, a broad area from Dallas, Texas, to Nashville, Tennessee, has been issued a Level 2 out of 5 flash flood threat, while a wider area encompasses a Level 1 threat.