Major rain event for the Southeast...

A significant rain event heading into the region.....



Tropical Storm Ida came ashore this morning near the Mississippi/Alabama state line. The remnants of Ida will combine with a separate storm system moving in from the west and provide the Southeast with a memorable rain event.

Here in the Piedmont, rain will increase in coverage and intensity today as a fetch of Atlantic moisture begins to bank up against the mountains. This, combined with the approaching remnants of Ida, will cause a healthy coverage of rain around the region tonight and tomorrow. The rain will be heavy at times tonight and tomorrow, and it will really begin to pile up.

The rain chances now look to continue at least in periodic fashion through Thursday and maybe even Friday morning. The heaviest rain by Thursday and Friday will be along the coast.

In terms of total amounts of rain over the next few days, I think a widespread 3"+ rainfall is looking likely, and some localized spots could pick up over 5" if all goes the way it looks right now. Flooding could become an issue in time as the rain amounts pile up.

Winds will become a problem tonight and especially tomorrow into Thursday. We could easily see some wind gusts in excess of 35 or 40mph at times, and with saturated soils, some trees could topple. We will continue to evaluate that threat.

It will be chilly tomorrow and Thursday as well with it being a struggle to get temps out of the upper 40s.