The frontal system that sparked hail-bearing, drenching thunderstorms over the Midwest Thursday evening has pushed into the Deep South. The threat from the storms will expand beyond hail-producers to damaging wind gusts, flash flooding and even a few tornadoes.

In addition to the severe thunderstorm, flash flooding and tornado threat during the first part of the weekend, Old Man Winter will pay a visit to parts of the region in the form of accumulating snow later in the weekend.

Some of the same areas being hit by damaging thunderstorms and flooding to start the weekend, may end the weekend with snow on the ground!

Strong thunderstorms pushed through the Tennessee Valley early Friday morning. The intensity has increased now that the storms have moved farther south, and daytime heating has occurred.

The Latest on the Severe Weather Threat

Damaging thunderstorms threaten areas from Monroe, La., to Jackson, Miss., Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala. to Atlanta and Columbus, Ga. through this afternoon and evening. Some areas may be hit by more than one severe thunderstorm. In addition to the more than one round of damaging winds and hail, where rain persists or downpours repeat, the risk of flash flooding will be greatly elevated.

A tornado strike in a populated area could lead to widespread devastation.

The damaging thunderstorm and tornado threat will shift farther to the east and south Saturday, stretching from the Louisiana coast to northern Florida and southeastern North Carolina.
During Saturday night, the cold front will continue to advance so that the damaging thunderstorm and tornado threat will encompass much of the central and northern counties of the Florida Peninsula.

Sunday, a few strong thunderstorms may rumble over South Florida.

All residents across the South at risk for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes should closely monitor the weather through the weekend. Immediate action should be taken for any warnings that get issued to protect lives.

The East Regional News story discusses how the South's severe weather will be replaced by snow later in the weekend.