Severe storms and heavy rain to impact the South and the West

On Saturday, a system is expected to develop out of the Rocky Mountains and introduce the chance for strong to severe thunderstorms across the High Plains and into western Texas through the afternoon and into the evening. A low population is within the risk area with Midland, Texas and Roswell, New Mexico being the largest areas expected to be impacted. Damaging hail and wind gusts are likely, and a tornado or two is possible.

A separate system will drag showers and thunderstorms across east Texas and into much of the Mississippi Valley and Midwest Saturday. Widespread rain totals may reach an inch or two, but by the southern edge of the front in the Deep South and Gulf states, heavy rain can lead to flooding incidents — with up to 4 inches possible across parts of the Florida panhandle, Alabama and Mississippi. A flood watch is in place through Saturday afternoon along coastal Alabama, specifically Mobile, and the western portion of the Florida panhandle.