The south faces several days of severe weather this weekend

On By Littum

Parts of several states in the southern United States have a significant chance of seeing severe weather this weekend.

JACKSON, Miss. – Just days after tornadoes ripped through parts of the South, the region is once again facing the threat of dangerous storms that could produce more twisters.

Several tornadoes ripped through parts of Texas and Louisiana Thursday as a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather threat unfolded. Most of the twisters happened in and around the Houston metro area. No damage or significant damage has been reported.

THE SPC 5-POINT RISK CATEGORY SCALE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPLAINED

  • Several tornadoes were reported across southeast Texas on December 26, 2024.

    Several tornadoes were reported across southeast Texas on December 26, 2024.
    ( )

  • Tornado makes landfall in Wharton County, Texas on December 26, 2024.
    (Wharton County Office of Emergency Management)

  • Tornado makes landfall in Wharton County, Texas on December 26, 2024.
    (Wharton County Office of Emergency Management)

  • Tornado makes landfall in Wharton County, Texas on December 26, 2024.
    (Wharton County Office of Emergency Management)

  • Tornado makes landfall in Wharton County, Texas on December 26, 2024.
    (Wharton County Office of Emergency Management)

  • Tornado makes landfall in Wharton County, Texas on December 26, 2024.
    (Wharton County Office of Emergency Management)

But forecasters have urged millions from Texas to the Carolinas and south to Florida to keep their guard up this weekend.

A Level 3 severe weather zone has been outlined for Saturday and includes parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. A Level 2 zone extends from Texas to Florida.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A TORNADO

The severe weather outlook for December 28, 2024.
(FOX Weather)

“Despite the uncertainty of the details, a broad warm sector with dew points in the mid-60s, a negatively tilted trough, and a strengthening low-level jet will support the potential for a severe weather outbreak with multiple rounds of storms with all sorts of severe weather risks.” forecasters at NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center wrote in their discussion Thursday.

Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are likely with possible severe storms developing late Saturday morning through Saturday night. Some strong tornadoes, meaning EF-2 or higher, are also possible.

6 TYPES OF CLOUDS YOU MIGHT SEE DURING SEVERE STORMS

The tornado outlook for December 28, 2024.
(FOX Weather)

People living in these zones should review their tornado safety plans and ensure they have a reliable way to receive weather alerts. Download the FOX Weather app to get alerts based on your location and a 3D radar that lets you track storms.

Severe weather threat moves east on Sunday

The dangerous storms will march east on Sunday, with the worst weather expected in a swath stretching from Virginia to Georgia. Tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are possible with any severe storms that develop in this zone.

HOW TO SEE FOX WEATHER

The severe weather outlook for December 29, 2024.
(FOX Weather)