Weather to Watch: October 24, 2026

High tides and persistent onshore wind are combining along the Southeast coast. In western Alaska, warmer air is changing precipitation near valley level while coastal water stays elevated. New Mexico and the northern Plains offer two different lessons about repeated rain.

These five places are selected for what they help explain. Forecast windows extend beyond October 24 where the pattern matters over several days.

1. Southeast South Carolina and Georgia: high tides meet persistent northeast wind

When to watch: October 24–28, especially the morning high tides October 26–28. All dates are local EDT.

NWS Charleston expects repeated coastal flooding as high astronomical tides combine with persistent northeast flow. Its discussion places the highest water levels around Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning high tides. Charleston and Fort Pulaski have different expected levels and flood thresholds, so one gauge cannot describe the whole coast.

The tide prediction provides a baseline. Persistent wind can keep observed water above that baseline, allowing flooding to recur over successive cycles. Compare each gauge with its own predicted tide and check the local NWS coastal products. A gauge height is not water depth above a road. Use remote gauge records rather than approaching flooded shorelines.

Source: NWS Charleston discussion, issued October 24 at 2:53 AM EDT.

2. Western Alaska: rain can replace snow while coastal impacts persist

When to watch: Saturday, October 24, with additional systems expected October 25–27. Dates are local AKDT.

The captured NWS Fairbanks discussion was issued Friday, October 23 at 4:39 PM AKDT. It forecast a change from snow to rain near valley level along the West Coast from Friday evening into Saturday morning as warmer air advanced along a front. Snow was expected to persist at higher elevations, including the Brooks Range. This is a regional forecast, not a claim that Fairbanks city shares the coastal conditions.

A change in precipitation type does not end the coastal event. The same discussion expects water levels to remain elevated through the weekend as winds continue and more systems approach. Compare precipitation reports by elevation and read the coastal forecast separately. The forecast transition is not confirmation that every valley has already changed to rain.

Source: NWS Fairbanks discussion, issued October 23 at 4:39 PM AKDT (October 24 at 00:39 UTC).

3. Central and eastern New Mexico: a second upper low renews storm chances

When to watch: October 24 afternoon and evening, with heavy-rain concerns continuing east of the central mountain chain October 25. Dates are local MDT.

NWS Albuquerque describes a second upper low drawing rich subtropical moisture northward. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are forecast across central and eastern areas Saturday. Large hail and damaging winds are the main severe-storm threats, with a lower risk of isolated tornadoes. River flooding and a continued flash-flood risk add a separate concern.

Watch a radar loop for where storms repeatedly develop, rather than treating one bright echo as a rain total. The discussion expects the broad rain focus to shift toward the eastern plains Sunday, but it is less certain how far clearing will advance. A break in rain at one location does not establish that nearby drainage has recovered. Follow NWS warnings and river information for impacts.

Source: NWS Albuquerque discussion, issued October 24 at 2:36 AM MDT.

4. Northeast Florida and southeast Georgia: rain and high tide can overlap

When to watch: October 24–26, with coastal and St. Johns River concerns potentially lasting into the following week. Dates are local EDT.

NWS Jacksonville describes high pressure to the north and lower pressure near the Bahamas tightening the pressure gradient. Persistent north-northeast winds, rising astronomical tides and building surf support repeated coastal flooding. The discussion expects peak water levels around the Sunday and Monday high tides.

Coastal northeast Florida also has a chance of convergent shower bands. If heavier downpours coincide with Saturday evening's high tide, they could worsen the expected tidal flooding. Compare rain timing with local tide timing, and distinguish the Atlantic coast, Intracoastal Waterway and St. Johns River basin. Rough surf and rip-current hazards remain separate reasons to follow official beach guidance.

Source: NWS Jacksonville discussion, issued October 24 at 3:38 AM EDT.

5. Sioux Falls region: scattered weekend showers precede broader rain

When to watch: October 24–27, separating weekend showers from the more widespread rain expected October 26–27. Dates are local CDT.

NWS Sioux Falls expects a slow-moving front to bring clouds and occasional rain during the weekend. Saturday's better shower chances are near and west of I-29, with a possible lull from midafternoon into the early overnight hours. A larger system is expected to bring more widespread rain Monday into Tuesday morning.

The useful distinction is coverage over time. Saturday's scattered showers do not describe the full multi-day event. Follow successive radar loops and forecast updates as the upper system approaches. The discussion retains uncertainty in the placement of the heaviest totals, including a potentially sharp change from wetter to drier areas.

Source: NWS Sioux Falls discussion, issued October 24 at 2:54 AM CDT. Its updated section is from Saturday morning; parts of the longer discussion retain Friday issuance times.

Based on National Weather Service discussions available by the October 24 cutoff of 6:30 AM Eastern. The Alaska discussion is from the previous local afternoon. These are dated weather lessons, not live warnings. For current forecasts and alerts, visit weather.gov.