More than 60 million people along the East Coast will face the risk of flooding this weekend due to a major rain and wind storm.
The storm system has not formed yet, but is expected to develop in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm will be formed by "multiple disturbances" that create a low-pressure system in the gulf that is expected to move north. The National Weather Service said that storm system will join forces with a smaller disturbance that developed along the West Coast on Friday.
Stephanie Abrams, a meteorologist, said that strong winds, rip currents, and large waves are already present in the area.
By Saturday, the storm will be affecting Florida, with damaging winds, flooding, and even tornadoes possible until Sunday. After that, the storm will begin to move north.
"The strongest winds will spread from Florida into the southeast Saturday into Sunday by Monday. The Northeast will be gusting higher than 50 miles an hour," Abrams said.
According to meteorologist Abrams, the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic region will experience severe weather by Sunday night. The Weather Channel predicts heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding in these areas.
As the storm moves north, the Northeast will be affected by rain and strong winds on Monday. In regions like the Great Lakes, the Appalachias, and higher elevations, the rain may even turn into snow.
Meteorologists anticipate three to five inches of rain. The National Weather Service shared maps that show similar expectations, with rainfall ranging from 1.75 inches to 4 inches as the storm progresses northward.
