Weather Warning as Storm to Impact 6 States Over Weekend

Residents of six East Coast states have been told to brace themselves for heavy rain, and the possibility of localized flooding, as a severe thunderstorm makes its way northeast from Florida on Saturday night to the Delaware Coast on Monday.

This storm is being created by an area of low pressure forming over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which is forecast to begin hitting the Sunshine State later today.

The federal National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has said there is a "slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of southern Georgia and Florida through Sunday morning." It added: "The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable."

In addition, there is a "slight risk of severe thunderstorms" across Florida through Sunday morning, which, the WPC says, could see "frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, few tornadoes, and a minimal threat of hail."

During Sunday, the storm is expected to continue its way northeast, moving towards the mid-Atlantic. The WPC warned of a "slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of southeastern Pennsylvania/Delaware to South Carolina from Sunday through Monday morning."

As was expected further south on Saturday, this rain is forecast to bring with it localized flash flooding, particularly around urban areas, roads and small streams.

A "slight risk of severe thunderstorms" warning is also in place for parts of southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina, lasting from Sunday through to early Monday. During this time, lightning and powerful wind gusts should be expected, along with some risk of tornadoes and hail.

Speaking to Newsweek, NWS senior meteorologist Jennifer Hubbard said: "Our biggest worries are marine hazards. Hazardous conditions on our coastal waters are currently occurring and will continue through the weekend into Monday."

Separately, western states have seen several spells of heavy snowfall so far this month, the result of a "prolific series" of atmospheric river storms originating from the Pacific.

On Friday, snow and wind warnings were in place for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Alaska, with the NWS saying residents should expect low visibility and slippery surfaces, making travel more difficult.

On December 9, several tornadoes ripped through Tennessee, leaving six dead, including two children, and injuring another 50 people.

Clarksville was badly hit, along with the Nashville suburb of Madison. There, three people were killed when a mobile home was lifted by the storm and dropped on top of a neighboring one.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell told a press conference that more than 20 structures in the city had collapsed entirely, while "countless others have sustained significant damage."