A strengthening area of low pressure will move from the southern Rockies to the central Plains today. It will gather moisture as is creeps eastward, which will lead to severe weather in the southern Mississippi Valley.
This is the same system that caused much needed rain and mountain snow for southern California and the Desert Southwest this past weekend and earlier this week. As it continues to travel eastward, its main impact will be thunderstorms. An upper-level disturbance lagging behind the main storm will continue to cause snow for the mountains of the southern Rockies today. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico through this evening, with a foot of snow possible at elevations over 8,000 feet. Winter Weather Advisories are in place for the San Juan Mountains and the Front Range in Colorado and other high elevation locations in New Mexico over 5,000 feet.
As the main storm system continues its trek eastward, severe thunderstorms will be found on the south end of it. The government's Storm Prediction Center has placed a Slight Risk over most of Louisiana, southeastern Arkansas and west-central Mississippi for today. A Marginal Risk covers a wider area, including the southeastern Texas, southern and eastern Arkansas, most of Mississippi and southern Louisiana. The main threats from this potential severe weather outbreak will be strong wind gusts and a few tornadoes.
This system will also produce heavy rain north of the main area of severe storms. Flood Watches extend from northeastern Texas to northern Arkansas, southern Missouri, and western Kentucky. Portions of the central Appalachians are also in a flood watch.
The best thing to do is to stay prepared and weather-aware, starting with knowing the difference between a watch and a warning should they be issued this week. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, and you need to have a plan in place for acting. However, a warning means that severe weather has been indicated and/or imminent, and you need to act fast to remain safe. When in doubt remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”