Memphis area could see ‘generational flooding’ starting with ‘rare, high-impact’ event tonight. What to know
Only two days into the month, April is living up to its promise of spring showers and then some.
Storms are heading for the Mid-South this week, and some areas are expected to bring more than 10 inches of rain. In response to the “generational flooding” threat, a flood watch will be in effect through Sunday.
“This is a rare, high-impact, and potentially devastating event,” The National Weather Service wrote on X. “Heavy rainfall will likely lead to widespread river, flash, and areal flooding that could cause severe disruptions especially along and north of I-40.”
Here’s what to know about the storm system heading to the Mid-South.
What’s the risk of severe weather, flooding in Memphis?
Memphis and the Mid-South will experience the highest severe weather category between 3 p.m. and midnight. The National Weather Service expects the most severe weather to hit Memphis between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The storms during this time will be long-lived, widespread and intense. There is also a high chance of tornadoes, strong winds and hail.
Between Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning, Memphis is expected to see between 8 and 10 inches of rain.
“Five day total rainfall amounts are in the 10 to 15 inch range along and north of I-40,” The National Weather Service wrote. “A High Risk of severe weather today, a Slight Risk is in effect Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”
Weather in Memphis today
For most of Wednesday, Memphis will be under a wind advisory and flood watch.
The wind advisory will last from 7 a.m. Wednesday through midnight Thursday. The flood watch begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday and will last until 7 a.m. Sunday.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely between 5 p.m. Wednesday and 1 a.m. Thursday, with wind gusts as high as 45 mph. The high for Wednesday is expected to be 85 degrees, followed by a steep drop to a low of 65 degrees.
Memphis weather radar
Memphis weather forecast
Thursday has a 100% chance of precipitation with between 1 and 2 inches of new rainfall. The high will be 77 degrees, and the low will be 68 degrees. Thursday evening will have an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms for the evening, with a small break between 8 and 10 p.m.
Friday will have a high of 84 degrees and a low of 70 degrees. There is a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day, which drops to 50% Friday evening.
Saturday will see rain again with a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms for the day, followed by a 100% chance in the evening. The high will be 79 degrees, and the low will be 55 degrees.
Sunday will have a high of 61 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis severe weather: NWS warns of generational flooding, storms
