Heavy rain, potential flooding forecast for the East Coast this weekend

Heavy rain, flooding, strong wind gusts and a few tornadoes are possible along the East Coast throughout this weekend as a new storm tracks north.

The storm developing over the Gulf of Mexico is already bringing a few showers to Florida Saturday morning. The rain will increase in coverage and strength over the states as the day continues, along with wind gusts over 40 mph.

Saturday afternoon, Florida is expected to see thunderstorms, but some of them will bring moderate to heavy downpours, which may cause flooding.  Heavy rain is expected to blanket Florida throughout the evening hours.

There is also a chance for damaging winds and a few tornadoes within the storm on Saturday in Florida.

Flood watches have been issued in Southeast Florida, including Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, and in northern Florida and southern Georgia, including Jacksonville and Gainesville. Wind advisories were issued along the east coast of Florida for gusts up to 45 mph through the day and night – although individual storms may bring stronger winds with them. While 2 to 4 inches is generally expected in much of Florida, localized amounts around 6 inches are possible.

Sunday morning, the storm makes a northern push along the East Coast and brings heavy rain to Georgia and the Carolinas in the morning hours. The continuous rain throughout the day will bring a flooding threat to the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday.

There is also a severe threat over the eastern Carolinas on Sunday with strong winds and an isolated tornado or two possible. Sunday afternoon, rain moves up I-95 and into Washington D.C. and Baltimore.