Severe storms, including tornadoes, will be concentrated in the southern United States through Sunday

Shortly after a round of severe thunderstorms dissipated across the southern United States at the end of the week, more thunderstorms will break out and become more severe this weekend. Not only could some of the strongest storms produce tornadoes, but storms with strong winds and torrential rain could also hamper travel as far north as the Mid-Atlantic region, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

Eight tornadoes were reported Thursday from Texas to Louisiana, and some of the tornadoes were captured on video in Wharton, Harris and Liberty counties.

The same storm system that caused Thursday’s severe weather will continue to produce some strong thunderstorms further east through Friday evening. Even if the atmosphere is not as intense as Thursday evening, there will still be some severe storms.

The strongest storms could bring damaging wind gusts, hail, torrential downpours and perhaps a few brief tornadoes from southeast Louisiana and central and southern Mississippi to central and southern Alabama and the western part of the Florida Panhandle. Just offshore over the Gulf of Mexico, some waterspouts may occur before attempting to move onshore.

Thunderstorms and lightning are possible as far north as the Ohio River through Friday evening.

The atmosphere will recharge this weekend as a new storm system rises over Texas and turns northeast toward the Great Lakes region. The storm’s rain alone may be enough to cause flash flooding in urban areas and near small streams.

From Saturday to Sunday there is a risk of severe thunderstorms and flash floods in the zone devastated by Helene at the end of September. Damaged infrastructure and those still without permanent housing could be at risk.

There will be enough warm and moist air on Saturday to fuel multiple lines and isolated thunderstorms from northeast Texas to western Georgia, eastern Tennessee and central Kentucky.

Severe thunderstorms may occur more frequently in this severe weather zone from central Louisiana to northern Alabama.

All types of severe weather are possible Saturday into Saturday night, including the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and frequent lightning.

Major cities at risk of severe weather on Saturday include Houston, New Orleans, Nashville, Jackson, Mississippi and Birmingham, Alabama. It is possible for severe thunderstorms to approach the Atlanta metropolitan area on Saturday night.

As the storm prepares to leave the U.S. on Sunday, the chance of severe thunderstorms will expand along a cold front stretching from Ohio and Pennsylvania into northern and central Florida.

In parts of the Southeast, despite cloud cover, it may seem like a spring day with significant warmth and increased humidity. The warm and humid conditions compared to late December will lead to severe weather.

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Even though the threat of tornadoes is not as great as it was in previous days, the strongest thunderstorms can still produce some hurricanes. In some cases, the tornadoes could be shrouded in rain and difficult to detect as they approach. The biggest threat will be strong wind gusts and rainfall, which could trigger flash flooding in cities. Some of the strongest storms can also produce marble-sized hail.

The total extent of Sunday’s severe weather is expected to be highly impressive, potentially reaching a dozen or more states. Storms with torrential rain and gusty winds are expected to first impact portions of the Interstate 77, 81 and 85 corridors in the afternoon and then spread to I-95 in the evening.

Atlanta; Charlotte; Charleston, West Virginia; Dover, Delaware; Richmond, Va.; Bristol, Tenn.; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Fla.; are among the large cities that could be directly affected by a severe thunderstorm on Sunday.

While storms may not be as severe across much of the Northeast, brief downpours accompanied by gusty winds could suddenly reduce visibility and lead to puddles during a busy travel period in a densely populated area of ​​the country to close out the weekend. Cities experiencing conditions that could impact travel in the Northeast include Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and New York City.

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