[CTSARA] Major Winter Storm

[John Sabini Jr.]

2:24 AM EST November 26, 2013
UPDATED By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Andrew Rosenthal
A major winter storm is moving acrossSouth this evening, its sights set on the East Coast just as the busiest travel day of the year approaches ahead of the Thanksgiving. A full gamut of weather from flooding downpours to heavy snow will smack the East Coast as the storm churns up the coast.

A large area of low pressure is centered across southern Louisiana, drawing plenty of Gulf of Mexico moisture into the Deep South and southern Appalachians. The low will slide across the Deep South and then slide northeastward along the Interstate 95 corridor into the Northeast. This will bring heavy rain to the immediate Eastern Seaboard, severe thunderstorms to the coastal Carolinas and Florida, and wintry weather to the Appalachians and northern New England. For more on the wintry threat, click here.

Copious amounts of moisture are streaming into the storm tonight, producing heavy rainfall across portions of the Deep South. Decatur, Miss., has recorded 2.62 inches of rain since Midnight, while Dallardsville, Texas, has seen 1.80 inches of rain. Tuscaloosa, Ala., has totaled 1.05 inches of rain, while Chattanooga, Tenn., has seen about 0.25 inches of rain.

As the low slides northeastward, it will continue to draw moisture into the Deep South, with another 2 to 3 inches of rain from Mississippi to northern Georgia. Meanwhile, it will start to draw Atlantic moisture onshore, where it will be squeezed out from the Carolinas to New England.

As if that weren`t enough, locations across northern Florida and adjacent Georgia and Alabama will be at risk a few severe thunderstorms today. This will advance into coastal North and South Carolina tonight. Gusty winds of 60 to 70 mph and a few brief tornadoes can`t be ruled out near Tampa, Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Fla., as well as Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Wilmington, N.C.

Along much of the Eastern Seaboard, cold air in place will mean that precipitation will start out as a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain. However, in time, warm air streaming into the region will win out by this afternoon and evening, causing it to change over to heavy rainfall. From there, the storm will become a soaker for residents and travelers along its path along the Interstate 95 corridor from the Carolinas to New England.

Rainfall amounts between this afternoon and Wednesday evening will likely top 2 inches in many spots, with up to 5 inches possible in a few spots. This amount of rain falling in a short time span, especially near drains clogged by leaves, will lead to flash flooding in streets and poor drainage areas. This could produce localized areas of flash flooding, so use caution and do not attempt to cross moving water. Remember, "Turn Around, Don`t Drown!"

The heavy rain will do a number on the Thanksgiving travel period today and Wednesday, likely causing widespread delays at the airports and backups on the highways along the East Coast. Check with your airline if you are flying today or Wednesday, and be prepared for significant delays on the roadways.

The storm will quickly exit into Canada early Thursday with gusty winds wrapping around the storm center. In addition, rain will change to a quick burst of snow for the major Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Interstate 95 cities before the storm departs. A combination of the winds and snow will likely lead to at least sporadic power outages for the Interior northern Mid-Atlantic and the Interior Northeast west of Interstate 95.

A much quieter weather pattern will arrive on Thanksgiving Day with high pressure moving in from the west. This high-pressure system will keep the skies blue through the weekend.

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