The Storm Prediction Center has issued a relatively rare moderate risk highlighting the potential for strong tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds across southern portions of the U.S.
A powerful mid-level trough and accompanying jet stream will be the catalyst to trigger some widespread severe thunderstorm activity.
The biggest risk for severe active weather for the region is on Saturday. A sharp cold front, digging trough, and moist gulf air all provide the necessary ingredients for a potential high impact tornado outbreak.
The Gulf moisture that remains from this system will snake its way up and across southern Ontario on Sunday.
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Warm air from the Gulf of Mexico will surge towards the north, with storm activity expected to initiate in Texas by early afternoon Saturday. Later in the afternoon, discrete supercells are forecast to form over Louisiana and Missisippi.
This environment strongly favours tornado development, some of these tornadoes have the potential to reach EF3 status or higher and could be on the ground for long durations.
Throughout the evening on Saturday, the storms are forecast to merge into a fast moving squall line, with strong winds as the biggest threat in the region as well as nocturnal tornadoes.
Alabama, Tennessee and parts of Georgia will all be on high alert for severe weather through the overnight period.
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On Sunday, the severe weather threat shifts eastward, impacting the the mid-Altantic, upper Ohio Valley and southeastern parts of the country.
A deepening surface low will cultivate widespread thunderstorm activity along a cold front moving towards the East Coast. The atmosphere ahead of the cold front is still tapping into a deep layer of moist, unstable air so thunderstorms are at risk of redevelopment.
Although the risk for tornadic activity is lessened on Sunday, some tornadoes will likely develop, especially across eastern Georgia and the Carolinas where the highest levels of low level shear and instability overlap.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the region.
