Barely uncommon ‘atmospheric river’ occasion to hit Southeast U.S. : NPR

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Climate Prediction Heart/Nationwide Oceanic Atmospheric and Administration A jet stream over the Gulf of Mexico will possible attain an space it does not usually hit: the Southeastern United States.

Starting this weekend into Monday and Tuesday, widespread rainfall throughout the area might end in 4 to six inches of rain, the Nationwide Climate Service mentioned. Remoted spots are anticipated to see as a lot as 12 inches of rain.

Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are forecast to see a lot of the results of the atmospheric river.

The probabilities of rain within the space "will improve later this weekend, with the potential for heavy rainfall Monday by way of Tuesday, which might end in flooding," the NWS mentioned early Saturday.

An atmospheric river is, basically, a concentrated space of water vapor that transports giant quantities of water by way of the sky.

They normally come from the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean and land within the Western U.S. However not this time.

"California will get a whole lot of precipitation within the winter from these," mentioned Andrew Hazelton an affiliate scientist on the College of Miami, the place he works with NOAA.

But it surely's not uncommon for atmospheric rivers to land in areas exterior of California, he mentioned. They usually occur due to a "cutoff low," in line with Hazelton — when the jet stream from the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean will get lower off. This cutoff results in a diversion. It turns the jet stream right into a closed-off low-pressure system. The place many atmospheric river occasions hit straight from East to West, the closed off low strain routes again East.

This southeast-bound occasion simply would possibly assist sure areas which have seen current droughts, the scientist mentioned.

Right this moment's climate might be largely quiet, however rain probabilities will improve later this weekend, with the potential for heavy rainfall Monday by way of Tuesday, which might end in flooding. Test again typically with for the newest forecasts by way of the weekend. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/rM2vCuGvFP

— NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) Might 10, 2025

Sure areas in Florida, together with Central Florida, had a dry winter and are witnessing a drought. Extra precipitation in these places might make up for the tough chilly season.

"If you get an excessive amount of rain in a brief time frame, it may be a flooding and flash flood menace," Hazelton mentioned. "So, I'd control that, however hopefully it will be extra useful."

Small creeks, streams, and low-lying areas might see a bit of additional water, in line with Hazelton.

For areas which might be vulnerable to flooding, the identical precautions for another high-precipitation occasion nonetheless stand.

"All the time keep in mind to show round, do not drown," Hazelton mentioned in regards to the atmospheric river occasion that would result in flooding in sure areas. "When you occur to be out and there is a flash flood, do not attempt to undergo it — as a result of that is the factor. Simply a few inches of water can knock you off your ft. Be secure and keep on excessive floor until the water subsides."