NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Latest on Deep South Severe Weather (all times local):
3:30 p.m.
Fire officials say a storm system moving across the South appears to be heading toward many of the largest ongoing wildfires and will help suppress them.
However, authorities say the rain moving across parts of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee on Monday likely won't end the fire threat and dangers posed by the blazes. Several of the largest fires are in Georgia and North Carolina.
Dave Martin of the U.S. Forest Service says high winds on the leading edge of the front could topple dead trees and put firefighters in danger. But Martin said the rains will certainly help the overall situation.
Forest Service spokesman Adam Rondeau says there are 24 large wildfires now burning throughout the southern U.S., covering about 133,000 acres.
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1:30 p.m.
More than 14,000 customers are without power in Mississippi as heavy winds accompany rain into the state.
Outages are concentrated in central and southeast Mississippi, according to power providers.
Entergy Corp., Mississippi's single largest utility, reported 6,800 users without power Monday afternoon, with the largest numbers in Rankin and Hinds counties.
Southern Pine Electric Power Association reported 4,500 customers without power, mostly in Copiah, Scott and Smith counties.
Sustained winds above 20 mph were being reported at Jackson International Airport and Meridian's Key Field. A gust of 54 mph was reported Monday morning at Clarksdale.
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12:35 p.m.
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has issued a tornado watch for western and northern Louisiana. The watch is in effect until 5 p.m. Monday.
The weather service says thunderstorms will slowly increase in coverage and intensity through the afternoon and spreading into northwest Louisiana.
Forecasters say the storm environment will become more favorable for supercells with the potential to produce a few tornadoes.
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form.
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9:05 a.m.
Most of the Deep South is under the threat of severe weather through Wednesday.
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, says a cold front approaching Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia will bring thunderstorms to the region.
The weather service says damaging winds will be the primary threat, with tornadoes also possible. Some storms could produce possibly severe hail.
Northern Louisiana and northern Mississippi will see gusty winds of up to 40 mph and brief heavy downpours on Monday. Rainfall amounts will average a quarter to half of an inch, with isolated higher amounts of up to an inch possible.
The weather service says the rain water should be soaked up quickly because of severe drought conditions across the Deep South.