Needed rain coming to the South but severe weather may accompany it

A stormy pattern is in the forecast for parts of the drought-stricken South over the next couple of days. While the rain will be beneficial, severe weather is a concern.

A soggy setup is developing for the South and Southeast this week, and while much-needed rain will fall, severe weather and flooding may accompany it. High pressure will shift east starting Wednesday and the southerly flow will allow Gulf moisture to work its way in. As a slow-moving system moves in from the west, rain chances and the threat of severe weather will increase.

The WeatherRadar shows a few showers and storms firing up in Texas this evening, but the main severe threat develops Thursday. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of central and east Texas with an enhanced risk, a level three out of five of severe weather, on Thursday. Cities included in the enhanced risk are places like College Station, Bryan, and Spring, Texas.

Weather & Radar's expert meteorologists will be ready to keep you updated on Thursday. Our Weather & Radar Task Force will be activated to keep you up-to-date with the latest severe weather coverage.

A slight risk, a level two out of five, extends across eastern Texas and into western Louisiana on Thursday. Cities highlighted under the slight risk include Houston, Beaumont, Texas, and Lake Charles, La. Scattered storms may produce severe weather at any point during the day and into the evening on Thursday. While severe hail and wind are possible, tornadoes are the main concern, especially in central and eastern Texas.

Now is a good time to review your severe weather plan and to make sure your Weather & Radar app alerts are turned on. While the threat of severe weather is greatest on Thursday, a few strong storms may develop on Friday as this system shifts east. A marginal risk, a level one out of five, extends across the Central Gulf states Friday and includes the cities of New Orleans, Jackson, Miss., and Birmingham, Ala.

**This same information can be seen in Spanish, written by our bilingual meteorologists if your app is set to Spanish. Tell your family and friends who only speak Spanish so that they can also be informed and stay safe, please.**