Tropical Storm Fred is forecast to gradually increase in strength as it tracks through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico today.   On the forecast track, the center of Fred should move across eastern and northern Gulf of Mexico and make landfall in the western Florida Panhandle later this afternoon or evening.

Fred will also bring rain and gusty winds to other areas of the Southeast including Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas into the early portion of the upcoming week.

The rainfall across the Southeast will be enhanced as Fred interacts with a frontal system.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia says that here in Northwest Georgia we can expect heavy rains.  Between 2 and 4 inches of rain is expected over the next 24-48 hours and there could be as much as 6 inches of rain in some places.  Flash flooding and pop-up tornadoes are also possible.