April showers have come a month early to the Deep South, as forecasters predict widespread rainfall lasting until Thursday. The National Weather Service has warned of the possibility of flash floods or severe thunderstorms.
"The Widespread showers and storms will then spread east into the Deep South by Wednesday where the threat for flash flooding and severe weather will also be present. In short, the stretch from Monday to Wednesday is forecast to be a soaker along the Gulf Coast with parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia receiving between 2 to 5 inches of rain." — National Weather Service forecast report
The lasting, soggy weather system is a combination of two separate fronts, one moving east to west across the South and another moving to the Northeast from Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, according to weather.com.
Northern and central Georgia will likely receive up to 5 inches of rainfall.
»RELATED: AJC's weather forecast for Atlanta
The rainfall is especially concerning for flash floods after a record-breaking February rainfall.
"The threat of flash flooding by Tuesday and Wednesday is high in these areas since the ground remains saturated and can't absorb much rain. Furthermore, over 50 river gauges are still reporting levels above flood stage in the South. This additional heavy rain ahead may prolong existing river flooding and trigger new river flooding." — The Weather Channel
Many areas of the Southeast recorded 10-plus inches of rain in February. Atlanta hit 10.58 inches.
Greensboro, North Carolina, beat the rainfall record that was set in 1929. Starkville, Mississippi, had 14.92 inches, its sixth-wettest month all time in records that have been kept since 1893.
Experts at FEMA advise locals to heed flash flood warnings when driving, even when rainy days are routine.
"If you come upon a barricaded or flooded road, Turn Around and Don't Drown," they published in a fact sheet.
»MORE: Flash floods and driving shouldn't mix
Flash floods can happen when water levels rise in less than six hours. Floods have been reported to rise up to 30 feet, but even a few inches is enough to impede vehicles due to the pressure exerted by the water’s current.
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Locals are advised to check weather forecasts regularly during the wet week ahead.
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