Rain Finally Returns to Drought-Weary Florida, But It Comes With Risk

A surge of downpours will bring much-needed moisture to parts of the Gulf Coast and the Southeast this week. While the rain is good news for the drought-stricken region, too much of a good thing could be a bad thing. Read on for a look at how much rain is on tap and what areas will get hit the hardest.

Stream of Moisture Headed to the Southeastern U.S.

A weak frontal boundary stalled over the southeastern U.S. will support the development of persistent downpours in the days ahead. The moisture machine will turn on along the front as winds coming up from the Atlantic and the Gulf amplify the threat of heavy rain and flash flooding through the end of the week. The latest forecast models signal that the heaviest bands of rain will set up across the region over the weekend.

An expansive area of high pressure anchored over the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic will pump the moisture circulating in the Atlantic to the west. The influx of moisture-rich air will pair with the natural heating of the day to boost rainfall rates in the Southeast.

A large swath of the Southeast will be under a Level 1 out of 4 flood threat by Friday. This zone includes all of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Portions of Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia will also be under the threat by the end of the work week. Low-lying metro areas such as New Orleans, Mobile, and Tampa are bracing for widespread rainfall totals between 2 and 3 inches through Sunday. Localized totals of 3 to 5 inches are also possible.

Rain Lingers Through the Weekend

The rainy weather pattern will persist on Saturday; however, the threat of flash flooding will shrink a bit. Major cities under a Level 1 out of 4 threat on Saturday include New Orleans, Atlanta, and Tampa. This threat will creep as far north as Raleigh, North Carolina.

By the time that the weekend wraps up, you can expect the highest rainfall totals to cover the Gulf Coast, as well as the southern and central portions of Florida. For instance, it could be a rainy weekend for theme park goers in Orlando. In addition to the rounds of rain and thunderstorms, Central Florida will also see high humidity levels and temperatures that hit the low 90s.

While the soggy weather will create disruptions to high school and college football games, late-season beach plans, and other outdoor activities, the rain will be beneficial to areas dealing with drought. There has already been stark improvement in the drought conditions in this corner of the country. According to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, approximately 66% of Florida is under a drought designation, compared to 100% of the Sunshine State under this category during the spring season.

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.