New Orleans - The South is bracing for a stormy and windy start to the workweek as a potent multiday storm threat moves across the region, posing a risk of severe weather including tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail. The FOX Forecast Center is closely monitoring this weather system, which is expected to impact areas from Texas to the Carolinas.

Beginning on Monday, severe thunderstorms are forecast to develop as a strong dip in the jet stream combines with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico surging northward. This collision is expected to create an intense weather boundary along the Southeast, contributing to the development of severe storms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather risk for Monday and Monday night. This includes southeast Louisiana, southern parts of Alabama and Mississippi, and the far western Florida Panhandle, affecting approximately 4.7 million people. A similar threat is expected on Tuesday for the Florida Panhandle, southeast Alabama, and southwest Georgia.

The main weather concerns associated with this system are heavy rain, damaging winds, and hail. There is also a possibility of tornadoes. The return of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is expected to destabilize the atmosphere, creating conditions conducive for severe thunderstorms along the Gulf Coast.

Of particular concern is the overnight period from Monday into Tuesday, which poses a heightened risk for severe weather. Tornadoes that occur at night are known to be more dangerous than daytime tornadoes. The storms are expected to intensify during the pre-dawn hours on Tuesday, raising the potential for heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding, especially in areas like Atlanta.

On Tuesday, the severe weather threat will shift eastward, affecting Florida, the Carolinas, and parts of Georgia. The primary threats will be damaging wind gusts and the potential for tornadoes. The system is expected to continue into coastal and central Carolina as it progresses eastward.

Additionally, there is a significant risk of flash flooding across the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas. The FOX Forecast Center has tracked impressive rainfall totals from Monday through Wednesday, with the potential for localized rain totals of up to 6 inches. NOAA's Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 out of 4 flash-flood risk for southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and southern Alabama, including cities such as New Orleans, Biloxi, and Mobile.

Powerful winds are also expected as part of this weather event. Wind advisories and high wind warnings are in place for areas from New Mexico to Texas and from the Gulf Coast to the Florida Panhandle. The Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee are also under a high wind warning. Wind gusts between 50 and 80 mph are anticipated in these areas.

As this severe storm threat unfolds, residents and authorities are advised to stay updated with the latest weather information and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.