CNN
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Thunderstorms are developing across the South, opening the door to major flooding, wind and hail damage, and the possibility of tornadoes that could hit the region into Saturday.
Flood warnings were in effect for much of Saturday across the South, including parts of Atlanta, as the storm focuses on the region.
Here's how the threat will unfold over the next two days.
Friday: Severe thunderstorms and flooding threat increases
The threat of severe thunderstorms and major flooding extends from the southern Plains to the Southeast as the same storm that brought heavy thunderstorms and hail to parts of Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday strengthens and tracks eastward. It has spread to
Thunderstorms rolled through areas from far east Texas to Alabama on Friday afternoon, prompting flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings.
Flash flood warnings were in effect for about 250 miles of Mississippi on Friday afternoon as a training storm dumped 2 to 3 inches of rain in just a few hours.
Thunderstorms will continue to develop into the evening, moving slowly eastward across the Lower Mississippi River and increasing in danger as it moves into the Southeast.
Hail, damaging wind gusts, heavy rain and tornadoes are all possible into the evening. Tornado danger extends from Texas to parts of Alabama and Florida.
Shreveport, Louisiana. Jackson, Mississippi. Mobile, Alabama, is among just a few cities with a level 5/5 risk of severe thunderstorms on Friday, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Parts of Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, including parts of metro Atlanta, are under Level 3/4 flood rainfall risk. Atlanta was already dealing with major flooding Wednesday after 3 inches of rain inundated the area.
Torrential rain late Friday and into the night could dump another 3 to 4 inches of rain on the Atlanta area, potentially causing dangerous flash flooding again.
A level 4/4 flood risk is in place from Louisiana to parts of Tennessee and the Carolinas. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are possible, with flash flooding possible.
A widespread storm will spread across much of the East by Saturday, bringing another day of severe thunderstorms and flooding.
The greatest risk of severe thunderstorms will once again be concentrated in the southern United States. Damaging storms from Friday night could continue into parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida into Saturday morning.
More storms could roar into the Carolinas Saturday afternoon as warmer temperatures bring more energy.
The main risks associated with Saturday's strong thunderstorms are expected to be damaging winds, heavy rain and several tornadoes.
Further north, the storm will spread pouring rain into the Great Lakes early in the morning and reach the Northeast by Saturday afternoon. The rain could turn into a wintry mix of rain, ice and snow in higher elevations in the interior of the Northeast late Saturday.
After several days of active weather, the storm is expected to move out for much of the Eastern Sunday and drier conditions are expected to take hold. However, the combination of rain and winter is likely to continue in New England.
