Weather delays at Masters amid storms: Will it get rained out? Today's weather updates.
Play was suspended twice on Friday afternoon – at 3:07 p.m. and again at 4:22 p.m. – due to weather warnings during the second round of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Friday's delays could be the start of a series of weather problems at the tournament over the weekend.
Professional golfers and fans were likely already teed off about the forecast of ongoing disruptive heavy rain and thunderstorms for the south-central and southeastern U.S.
Even more problematic is the dismal weather forecast for Saturday in Augusta, which shows there's a 100% chance for rain and a chilly high temperature of just 51 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. And Sunday is looking only marginally better.
A wet Friday and weekend are also in store for the Pacific Northwest, forecasters said.
Despite the threat of flooding in some parts of the country, many areas recentlybattered by back-to-back severe storms can expect to enjoy some spring sunshine.
Here's what you need to know about the weather on Friday:
Flooding threat in South
Cooler and drier air will put an end to the severe weather threat in the mid-Atlantic region on Friday. But in the South, cities including Brownsville, Texas, and New Orleans could be soaked with up to 2 inches of rain.
As much as 4 inches of rain could drench Jackson, Mississippi, and Augusta and Atlanta, Georgia, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bob Larson.
That's because the stormy weather will stall above the region, bringing repeated rounds of heavy rain that could cause flash flooding and other problems from Texas to the Carolinas starting Friday and through the weekend.
In Augusta, Masters "spectators and golfers may be at risk of lightning strikes and the effects of sudden wind gusts and bursts of heavy rain," according to AccuWeather.
By Saturday, while the threat of thunderstorms should diminish at the Masters, an all-day, heavy, cold rain should be the main weather story. Bone-chilling northeast winds of up to 17 mph will add to the miserable conditions for spectators and golfers alike.
On Sunday, while the rain threat will decrease in Augusta, high temperatures only in the 50s and gusty, chilly winds will provide a stern test at the tournament's final round.
North Carolina flash floods
Heavy rain led to flash floods on Friday in North Carolina, causing problems on the roads in the Raleigh-Durham area, local TV stations reported. As of mid-afternoon, the weather service office in Raleigh had cancelled all flash flood warnings, but "ponding on roadways remains possible where moderate rain exists," the weather service tweeted.
US weather watches and warnings
Wildfires could ignite in central U.S.
Nebraska, parts of central Kansas and the central High Plains are under red-flag warnings, meaning any fires that start may spread rapidly.
The National Weather Service predicts critical fire weather Friday afternoon and winds around 15 to 25 mph in the area, with gusts up to 35 mph. Relative humidity will be as low as 15%.
Much of western Kansas and southwestern Nebraska are enduring a significant drought, which has kept fuel moisture low, according to the weather service.
"Use caution if engaging in activities that could result in fire ignition," the weather service said.
Wet in the Northwest
Wet and unsettled conditions are in store for the much of the Pacific Northwest on Friday and into the weekend, the weather service said. Rain and high-elevation snow should persist through much of today across the Northwest, before the next round of unsettled weather arrives Saturday morning.
By Sunday, steady moderate rainfall atop a deep snowpack could prompt isolated flooding issues along the Pacific Northwest coast, the weather service predicts.
Happy Friday: Pleasant conditions for most of US
Despite some threats, overall the U.S. will experience a pleasant Friday, weatherwise.
Residents of Toledo, Ohio, for instance, should expect to see a high of 50 degrees and sunny weather.
Conditions in most of rain-drenched California are expected to return closer to normal with temperatures in the 70s.
National weather radar
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Masters Tournament weather forecast: Delays amid storms. Weather news.