A rainy weather pattern this week will create a very moist Mid Atlantic, with an abundance of moisture and rain expected over the next 48 hours, especially over the Carolinas and Virginia. A slow moving mid to upper level low to bring heavy rain and flooding potential from Southeast Florida, into the Southern to Central Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic over the next few days.
A well defined closed low over the central Gulf coastal region will be lifting slowly northward over the next two days across the Tennessee and Ohio Valley and into the Lower Great Lakes region. This system will be supporting potential for widespread heavy rains, especially on the eastern side of the circulation from Southeast Florida, northward into the Mid-Atlantic, Southern to Central Appalachians and Lower Great Lakes, where above average moisture values are expected.
Much of these regions are currently experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions, with these rains potentially beneficial.
However, there will also be the threat of flooding and flash flooding, as storms may be slow moving and repeat over the same area. This threat is especially so across urban areas of Southeast Florida and the Mid-Atlantic and across the higher terrain areas of the Southern to Central Appalachians.
Flood watches are currently in effect across Southeast Florida, central Alabama, central North Carolina and across the Southern to Central Appalachians from western North Carolina, northeast through western Virginia, eastern West Virginia and far western Maryland, affecting nearly 20 million people.
While the heaviest rains with this slow moving system are expected on it eastern side from Southeast Florida, into the Mid Atlantic, Southern to Central Appalachians and Lower Great Lakes, widespread scattered showers are also likely from the Central Gulf coast, north through the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys and into the Mid-West. Much of these areas will see light to moderate totals, with potential for isolated heavy totals, but not as widespread as on the eastern side of the slow moving mid to upper level low.
