Flash Flood Watch through Friday evening

September, normally one of the driest months of the year, is now one wettest overall this year.

The Southeast, including the state of Mississippi have been stuck in a blocking pattern over the past several days, with a slow meandering upper level low pressure system over the Arkansas and Louisiana area.

This system continues to draw tropical gulf moisture to the north over the state, resulting in periods of heavy rain.

The most concentrated and heaviest rainfall has occurred across Northern Mississippi, where Flash Flood Watches have been in place since Tuesday, with numerous reports of flash flooding over the last few days.

Most of Northern Mississippi have received over 4 inches of rainfall with isolated areas up to 7 and 8 inches. 

Moorhead, near Greenville, Mississippi, has recorded 7.49 inches of rainfall, so far this month.

Northern Mississippi is not alone, portions of Southern and Eastern Mississippi have also received heavy rainfall amounts for the month so far, with some locations over 5 and 6 inches of rainfall. 

Meridian has recorded 6.14 inches and Columbia in Southern Mississippi has received 5.78 inches of rainfall, so far this month.

(Select September rainfall totals around the state)

(Flash Flood Watch Counties)

 BOLIVAR,SUNFLOWER, LEFLORE GRENADA, WASHINGTON, HUMPHREYS, ISSAQUENA, SHARKEY,DESOTO, MARSHALL, BENTON, TIPPAH, ALCORN, TISHOMINGO, TUNICA, TATE, PRENTISS, COAHOMA, QUITMAN, PANOLA, LAFAYETTE, UNION, PONTOTOC, LEE, ITAWAMBA, TALLAHATCHIE, YALOBUSHA, CALHOUN, CHICKASAW, AND MONROE.

Unfortunately, more rain is likely over the next several days.

According to the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, which prepares and issues forecasts of accumulating  precipitation and highlights areas with the potential for flash flooding, has outlooked the state for an additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall over the next several days, with the heaviest rainfall amounts across Northern Mississippi, where they definitely do not need it. 

(Estimated 3.90 inches of rainfall indicated in the Delta --by HPC --over the next several days)

The bottom line: Showers and isolated thunderstorms will remain possible at anytime through the weekend, with an additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall possible with locally higher amounts across the northern half of the state, with 1 to 3 inches possible elsewhere.

The flash flood threat will be highest across Northern and portions of Eastern Mississippi, but with any slower moving storms, rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour will be possible, leading to flash flooding over the next several days.

The Jackson Weather Examiner will continue to monitor this developing weather situation.