ATLANTA -- A major January severe weather outbreak is taking place Sunday night in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Western Tennessee.  We are monitoring these storms as they move to the east toward Georgia.

There have been numerous tornado warnings in Arkansas with damage and tornado emergencies declared in some counties there.  The line will move east through Mississippi overnight and eventually into NW Alabama.

The line will move into northwest Georgia between 6am and 8am Monday.  It will continue south and east into Metro Atlanta between 8am and 11am, then move south of Atlanta after lunch.

The cool "wedge' that is over us right now is going to act in our favor by helping to weaken these storms as they move in.  I still expect some thunder and lightning and the potential for severe thunderstorms with the passage of the storms.  However, it won't be the same type of outbreak as they are having Sunday night to the west.

Storms are ready to fire up to our west.  After a relatively quiet day, it is about to get active for northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, west Mississippi and west Tennessee.

A developing storm system diving to the south will mix with some warm and unstable air along the Mississippi River.  These storms will turn severe this evening and overnight to the west.  There is a good likelihood of severe thunderstorms and long-track tornadoes in the states mentioned above.  We are anticipating a new tornado watch to be issued anytime for those areas.

Risk Areas: The storm prediction center has placed north Louisiana, southern Arkansas, west Mississippi and west Tennessee and southern Kentucky  in a "moderate" risk for severe storms.  A "slight" risk extends into west Georgia for the early morning hours on Monday.

The threat for a severe weather outbreak in the south is looking more likely for areas to our west today.  Arkansas, Mississippi, West Tennessee and NW Alabama are the areas mostly likely to see severe storms and tornadoes during the day Sunday.  The Storm Prediction Center updated the "slight" risk to a "moderate" risk for those areas.  The "slight" risk extends into west and northwest Georgia.