While the South is still trying to thaw out from a historic snowstorm earlier last week, heavy rain is now entering the forecast in the coming days. Snow and ice are still on the ground, as much of the south and southeastern U.S. continues to witness below-average temperatures. Frost and freeze alerts remain in place until Sunday morning, before a warmer, soggier pattern moves in next week.

SET- UP

A large trough of low pressure digging south and stalling across Southern California will slowly move east, allowing energy into the south-central U.S. A return flow on the back side of a high-pressure center sets up, and a pattern of plentiful moisture will continue for much of the upcoming week.

TIMING

An area of low pressure will team up with a quick shot of energy around the larger upper-level trough on Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms will form ahead of the front on Sunday, moving from Texas east into the Mississippi Valley. That low-pressure system will exit the U.S. Monday. Another quick round of rain will move across similar areas on Wednesday. The main upper-level trough will finally eject out of the southwest by next Thursday, with heavier rainfall and perhaps thunderstorms expected as it moves across the southeast U.S.

RAINFALL

On Sunday, the Weather Prediction Center highlights an area from Victoria, TX to Greenville, MS, and down to Lake Charles, LA for the best chance at localized flooding. Because the pattern doesn't change much for the upcoming week, many of the same areas will see rain multiple days. Over the next 7 days, rainfall totals could reach 5-7" between Houston, Shreveport, and Alexandria. People in these areas should stay tuned to changes in the forecast as additional flooding alerts may be needed by next week. Widespread rainfall could cause localized issues as well.

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