From Sunday through early Thursday, a strong storm system will move from the Mid-South into the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, bringing widespread rain. Periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall are possible, especially across the Southeast, with a low risk of isolated flooding. A brief period of snow or mixed precipitation may occur on the northern edge of the system, but the overall winter weather threat currently appears limited. Meanwhile, an active pattern will develop in the West, with several rounds of Pacific moisture bringing rain to coastal areas and heavy snow to the Sierra and higher elevations. Some precipitation may spread into the Plains and Upper Midwest by midweek. Much of the central U.S. will remain well above normal temperatures.

Friday: From Friday afternoon through early Saturday morning, a few strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are possible across western Texas into far southwest Oklahoma. Storms are expected to develop during the late afternoon and evening as a weather system approaches from the west and draws in modest Gulf moisture. While overall instability will be limited, conditions may support a few well-organized storms. The main threat will be small to marginally severe hail, especially across western Texas. A couple of storms could also produce brief strong wind gusts before becoming elevated overnight. Storm coverage may increase through the evening and spread northeast, though the severe threat should lessen with time as instability weakens.

Saturday: On Saturday into early Sunday, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible from parts of Oklahoma and Texas eastward into the Lower Mississippi Valley. A developing low-pressure system and an advancing cold front will move across the region, helping to trigger thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. Warm, moist air from the Gulf combined with stronger winds aloft will allow some storms to organize. Storms may begin as scattered cells across Oklahoma and Texas, then gradually form into a line as they shift east overnight. The primary concern will be strong to locally damaging wind gusts, though the overall severe threat is expected to remain isolated. Storm intensity may decrease somewhat farther east overnight.

Sunday - Thursday: On Sunday, a storm system moving across the Deep South and Southeast could bring a few strong thunderstorms, especially from southern Alabama and Georgia into parts of Florida. Gusty winds would be the main concern, but the overall severe weather threat appears limited at this time. Widespread clouds and ongoing rain may reduce instability and keep storms from becoming more intense, though locally heavy rainfall is possible.

From Monday into midweek, high pressure aloft is expected to build eastward, leading to quieter conditions across much of the central and eastern U.S. By later in the week, another developing system in the West may increase thunderstorm chances somewhere in the central U.S. or Midwest, but details remain uncertain at this time.

National Weather Outlook sources: Weather Prediction Center & Storm Prediction Center