Record rainfall at WXLIVE!

The old adage holds true... March came in like a lamb but is headed out like a lion! After rain and thunderstorms throughout the weekend that are only exacerbating flooding conditions, a flash flood watch is in effect through Tuesday morning as another powerful system heads our way tonight. Though some scattered thunderstorms could very likely break out this afternoon as we warm into the 70s, the heavy rain and possibly line of strong storms will not come through until the overnight hours. Many places will see another 1-2" of rain and with the ground already saturated from recent rains, it will all be runoff when it comes. Depending on just how quickly it comes, we could see flooding conditions, particularly around streams, rivers, and storm culverts that will be absorbing all of this water.

After a very dry couple of years, with drought conditions becoming extreme for part of 2007, we seem to be trying to make it up all at once. WXLIVE! (MemphisWeather.Net's official recording station in Bartlett) has recorded almost 7.5" of rain this month (with tonight's yet to be recorded). This has been the wettest month in WXLIVE!'s short history (since June 2005). We'll see if the trend continues in April. (It looks to be starting that way with another system bringing potentially heavy rain about 3 days out!)

Flash Flood Watch in effect

As mentioned a couple of days ago, the metro area is in for a good deal of rain over the next 24 hours. A Flash Flood Watch and Wind Advisory are in effect until 7am Wednesday. Today, temps will be mild with windy conditions. Everyone in the area woke up to temps in the upper 60s this morning and highs should top out in the mid 70s. Scattered showers will become more likely this afternoon. The heaviest rain will remain to our west over Arkansas where 3-6" is possible in some locations.

For tonight, models agree on moving the copious rainfall into the Mid-South as a slow-moving front hangs over the area and strengthening low pressure system tracks along the front. Many areas will see rainfall totals of 1-3" by tomorrow morning. In addition, as the front itself moves through after midnight, there is a good possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms. The timing looks to be between midnight and 4am for the heaviest thunderstorms. Lingering showers will hang around Wednesday morning with the sky clearing around sunset. An early look at Easter shows a good deal of clouds with a shower possible and coolish temperatures.