At a Glance
- A widespread storm system will affect the central and eastern states Friday into this weekend.
- The South could get strong thunderstorms and heavy rain.
- Snow is possible on the storm's northern fringe in the Plains and upper Midwest.
An expansive weekend storm system may ignite severe weather and heavy rain in the South while laying down another blanket of snow across a broad swath of the Plains and Midwest as we transition from November to December.
After pushing into California on Thursday, a potent jet stream disturbance will move through the southern Rockies and into the southern Plains by Friday, prompting an area of low pressure to develop in the Plains.
That low-pressure system will then track northeastward through the central and eastern states, triggering widespread rain and thunderstorms as it pulls in mild and moist air streaming northward from the Gulf of Mexico. This setup could also be favorable for severe storms, particularly in the South.
On the northern fringe of the low-pressure system, there might be just enough cold air for some wintry weather as well.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)
A strong area of low pressure will pull moisture northward into the South and Ohio Valley, fueling widespread rain and thunderstorms. Enough cold air may be in place for snow in parts of the Plains and upper Midwest.
It's a bit too early to pinpoint specific details on this next storm system, but here's a general overview of the forecast. Keep in mind that changes are likely the next few days.
Friday-Friday Night
- The area of low pressure will begin to organize over the southern Plains by later Friday.
- This will likely lead to the development of numerous showers and thunderstorms from the Mississippi Valley to the northern Gulf Coast, spreading into the Lower Ohio Valley at night.
- NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has highlighted an area from northeast Texas into northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas and west-central Mississippi for the highest chance of severe storms Friday and Friday night. Those storms could pack damaging winds and tornadoes, according to the SPC.
- Snow will be falling over much of the Rockies and could spread into parts of the northern Plains, dependent on how much moisture overlaps with cold air.
- This will likely lead to the development of numerous showers and thunderstorms from the Mississippi Valley to the northern Gulf Coast, spreading into the Lower Ohio Valley at night.
- NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has highlighted an area from northeast Texas into northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas and west-central Mississippi for the highest chance of severe storms Friday and Friday night. Those storms could pack damaging winds and tornadoes, according to the SPC.
- Snow will be falling over much of the Rockies and could spread into parts of the northern Plains, dependent on how much moisture overlaps with cold air.
Friday Night's Outlook
(The green shadings depict where rain and thunderstorms are possible. Areas that are shaded blue could see snow. Purple-shaded locations may see a mix of snow and rain. Areas in pink may see sleet or freezing rain (ice).)Saturday
- The storm system will continue to track northeastward through the Midwest and South to begin the weekend.
- Widespread rain and thunderstorms might affect an area from the Deep South northward to the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and East.
- This may include a threat of severe storms in parts of the South.
- Snow or a rain-and-snow mixture could affect parts of the northern/central Plains and upper Midwest. Some snow could spread into northern New England Saturday night.
- Widespread rain and thunderstorms might affect an area from the Deep South northward to the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and East.
- This may include a threat of severe storms in parts of the South.
- Snow or a rain-and-snow mixture could affect parts of the northern/central Plains and upper Midwest. Some snow could spread into northern New England Saturday night.
Saturday's Outlook
(The green shadings depict where rain and thunderstorms are possible. Areas that are shaded blue could see snow. Purple-shaded locations may see a mix of snow and rain. Areas in pink may see sleet or freezing rain (ice).)Sunday
- A soggy end to the weekend looks likely in the eastern states as the storm system moves farther east.
- Snow will likely fall over northern New England.
- Some lingering snow is possible in the Upper Midwest or Great Lakes.
- A second round of snow may take shape by Sunday in the Plains, potentially spreading into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes early next week.
- Snow will likely fall over northern New England.
- Some lingering snow is possible in the Upper Midwest or Great Lakes.
- A second round of snow may take shape by Sunday in the Plains, potentially spreading into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes early next week.
Sunday's Outlook
(The green shadings depict where rain and thunderstorms are possible. Areas that are shaded blue could see snow. Purple-shaded locations may see a mix of snow and rain. Areas in pink may see sleet or freezing rain (ice).)
Check back with weather.com throughout this week for more specifics on the possibility of severe storms in the South and snow in the nation's northern tier.
Posted By: Ciela Marie Acala
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM
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