Damaging Gulf Coast Storm Threat into Tonight

Feb 18, 2012; 10:45 AM ET

As a developing storm system moves along, severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and the potential for tornadoes will push eastward along the Gulf Coast.

While flash and urban flooding remains the primary threat for travelers and residents in the I-10 and I-20 corridors of the South into tonight, there is also a substantial risk for damaging winds, including a few tornadoes near the Gulf Coast.

The storms have had a history of flash flooding and damaging wind gusts in Texas and western Louisiana this morning. There have been reports of funnel clouds.

The building warmth and Gulf moisture will make the atmosphere increasingly volatile this afternoon and evening.

A developing warm sector from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle is the area to watch this afternoon and evening for possible tornadoes. This threat area extends from New Orleans to Biloxi, Miss., to Mobile, Ala., to Tallahassee, Fla., as forewarned by Meteorologist Meghan Evans.

There is also a risk of a couple of tornadoes occurring farther inland, among clusters of thunderstorms. These storms could be wrapped in heavy rainfall and concealed from view.

 

Thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts, perhaps topping 70 mph have the potential to bring downed trees, blocked roadways and neighborhood power outages.

The risk of violent thunderstorms and and tornadoes will extend through the night along the northeastern Gulf Coast and reaching into southern Georgia and southern Alabama. The potential for a few night time tornadoes will add to the danger, since some people may not realize such a storm is coming.

The risk of damaging thunderstorms will continue into Sunday and will stretch from the northern counties of the Florida Peninsula to perhaps as far north as the coastal areas of North Carolina.

People are urged to keep a close eye on the weather situation and be prepared to seek shelter as storms approach.

Damaging Gulf Coast Storm Threat into Tonight