Tornado, severe weather outbreak possible this weekend across the South

A significant severe weather and tornado event is forecast for Saturday [December 28] with several rounds of damaging storms possible from east Texas to Alabama with the severe threat extending north across Tennessee and east into western Georgia.

All ingredients are in place to support tornadoes [some of which could be strong - EF2+, long-track], damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph and golf ball size hail. Because of the significant severe risk and forecast coverage of the storms, a level 3 [out of 5] severe risk exists from central Louisiana, east across Mississippi, extending into west-central Alabama [far southeastern Arkansas is also in this risk level]. A level 3 severe risk means numerous severe storms are likely on Saturday that could produce significant severe weather. There's a level 2 and level 1 severe risk that extends outward from the level 3 risk area. These areas also have the potential to see isolated to scattered severe storms on Saturday. Significant severe weather is also possible in the level 2 and level 1 risk areas, but the coverage of severe storms will be less.

Saturday's severe risk and hazards

Saturday's highest tornado risk area

Severe storms get going by late Saturday morning and will continue through the afternoon and evening hours, continuing into the nighttime hours with some areas seeing a few to several rounds of storms, which means some areas could see several severe weather warnings issued throughout the duration of the day Saturday.

The severe risk shifts east overnight into Sunday [December 29] with the severe risk continuing on Sunday across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic into the heart of the Appalachians. All modes of severe weather are possible on Sunday with tornadoes, damaging winds and hail all possible. There's a level 2 and level 1 [out of 5] severe risk Sunday. The level 2 severe risk [where severe storm coverage will be highest] extends from Georgia into the Carolinas into south-central Virginia.

Sunday's severe risk and hazards

Sunday's highest severe risk area

Please remain weather aware over the weekend!