Several days of heavy rain and thunderstorms to persist across the Gulf Coast
According to the FOX Forecast Center, a sweeping cold front across the Southeast U.S. this weekend is set to lose forward momentum, setting the stage for prolonged heavy rainfall.
Rain, thunderstorms and possible flooding to plague the Gulf Coast
The holiday weekend is off to a wet start as repeated rounds of rain and thunderstorms are expected to persist through next week, which is fueling a flash flood threat for portions of the Gulf Coast.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms will continue through next week.
- Persistent rain in the South will fuel a multiday flash flood threat.
- The storms will continue through Friday.
As the holiday weekend nears an end, millions of Americans are chasing one last chance to enjoy the remaining summer warmth, but a sweeping cold front could ruin plans.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, a stalled cold front across the Southeast U.S. this weekend is set to lose forward momentum, setting the stage for prolonged heavy rainfall.
"As the boundary sinks south through Georgia, the Carolinas and Northern Florida, it will interact with a rich pool of tropical moisture advancing off the Gulf," the FOX Forecast Center said. "Daytime heating will fuel this tropical air mass, sparking strong sea breeze collisions and destabilizing the atmosphere each afternoon."
Locations stretching from Savannah, Georgia, to Jacksonville and Daytona Beach are under a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat to start the week.
This combination of moisture and heating will create ideal conditions for repeated thunderstorms and flash flooding.
This severe storm threat will likely continue through the week, bringing slow-moving thunderstorms and high rain totals.
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Through Friday, popular Gulf Coast cities such as New Orleans, Jacksonville and Tampa will see severe weather.
Starting early in the week, rain chances increase sharply across Coastal Florida and the Panhandle as afternoon heat fuels upper-level disturbances and increased precipitation.
SEVERE STORMS TO DAMPEN LABOR DAY PLANS ACROSS NORTHERN US AS UNSETTLED WEATHER LINGERS INTO TUESDAY
These high rainfall rates could overload drainage systems throughout affected areas in the Sunshine State.
Heavy rain falls on a parking lot outside Tampa, Florida August 27, 2012. Due to severe weather Tropical Storm Isaac and possible hurricane conditions expected to hit the Mexican Gulf, the Republicans have decided to cut short their National Convention by one day. (MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP / Getty Images)
As these storms repeatedly hit the same areas with heavy rain, the already saturated soil will likely be overwhelmed, fueling the flash flood threat.
Most areas along the Gulf Coast can expect 1 to 2 inches of rain, but some areas could see more as these storms will stall over various communities through the week.
KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
Tune in to FOX Weather as we continue to monitor and update the severe storm threat in the South.