Two cross-country storm systems are taking shape and advancing eastward from the western regions into the Midwest, bringing multiple waves of intense rainfall and widespread severe thunderstorms that could impact millions in the South with risks of tornadoes, powerful gusts and flash flooding.
Abundant humidity combined with significant wind shear is creating the ideal conditions for typical severe weather in the South, though the peak atmospheric instability is expected to stay closer to the Gulf Coast
More than eight million residents face a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms across sections of Louisiana, Mississippi and western Tennessee, with the core threat zone stretching from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, northward to Memphis, Tennessee and eastward toward Birmingham, Alabama. (RELATED: Tornado Hammers Purcell, Oklahoma Leaving Trail Of Damage Amid Severe Weather Ripping Through Plains)
Experts at the FOX Forecast Center indicate that the primary dangers include destructive straight-line winds along with the chance for isolated, short-lived tornadoes.
This ongoing twister potential follows a recent EF-1 tornado that struck Purcell, Oklahoma during a passing storm line. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, but the twister caused considerable damage by snapping power poles and toppling trees. Survey teams from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Norman continue to evaluate the impacted areas.
In a familiar pattern for southern severe weather events, several waves of thunderstorms are anticipated Friday across the region from the Tennessee Valley down to the Gulf Coast, heightening concerns for widespread flash flooding.
Folks in Jackson, Birmingham, Baton Rouge, and Huntsville face a severe weather threat Friday night. A Level 2 Slight Risk brings potential damaging winds and tornadoes after dark. Since this will happen overnight, ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings while you… pic.twitter.com/mi6Q1Yes9z
— Ryan Hall, Y’all (@ryanhallyall) January 8, 2026
The initial wave is likely to push through during Friday morning and midday, with a second round developing in the afternoon and extending into the overnight hours.
With plentiful moisture in place and the prospect of storms repeatedly affecting the same locations, flash flooding poses a major hazard in middle Tennessee, northern Alabama and much of Mississippi.
A Level 2 out of 4 risk for flash flooding currently covers areas from slightly north of Nashville down through northern Alabama and into Mississippi.
Expected rainfall amounts are generally 2-3 inches throughout much of the Tennessee Valley, but some localized areas may experience up to 5 inches. (RELATED: United States Sees 8-Year High For Lightning Strikes In 2025)
Flood watches have been issued spanning from New Orleans up to Nashville, covering a distance of more than 600 miles.
Many of the zones under these flood watches have been experiencing drought conditions, which heightens the flash flood danger since parched soil may not absorb the projected heavy rain rates effectively.
The severe thunderstorm risk could linger into Saturday as the advancing cold front shifts eastward, with a Level 1 out of 5 threat already outlined for portions of Georgia and the Carolinas.
Even as the main system departs, the chance for additional flash flooding persists in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.