(Updated Sunday morning, 12/4/2016)
While beneficial rain is falling for parts of the drought stricken southeast, it’s too much of a good thing for portions of southeast Texas and Louisiana. It’s all being driven by a slow moving disturbance near the U.S.-Mexico border, drawing deep Gulf moisture northward that will bring more rain Sunday and Monday.
Overview
Anywhere from three to eight inches of rain fell Saturday in places such as Galveston, the south side of Houston, and Beaumont, Texas, as well as Lake Charles, Lafayette and Alexandria, Louisiana. An additional two to five inches of rain will possible in these areas by Monday afternoon, when the storm finally moves on. Drivers should exercise caution and be alert for flooded roadways from the heavy rains.
The rains have also expanded eastward across much of the Deep South, including drought stricken Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Parts of these states are in an ‘exceptional drought’, the most severe category used by the U.S. Drought Monitor. In the fire-ravaged area of eastern Tennessee, welcomed rain began Sunday morning, which will continue off and on through Tuesday afternoon.
While the rain is mostly good news for ongoing fire fighting efforts in the area, a risk of flooding exists in burn areas where the rainwater runoff may be magnified.
Watch the drought expand across the Southeast since August. The good news? Rain is in the forecast this weekend through Monday. pic.twitter.com/KmyM7HmgCu
— Morecast USA (@Morecast_USA) December 2, 2016
The expected rainfall will help relieve stress for many residents and bodies of water impacted by the drought conditions. Be sure to keep up to date with the latest developments with this system by following the Morecast team on Twitter and Facebook.