Middle Georgians might be wishing Santa left a weather radio under the Christmas tree.

Meteorologists are monitoring the potential for severe weather in the Southeast heading into Wednesday morning. Rain is forecast for Tuesday.

A strong storm system is expected to develop over the lower Mississippi Valley that would bring widespread rain and scattered thunderstorms to Middle Georgia.

Storms could fire up as early as 3 a.m. Wednesday in western sections of the state.

Tornadoes and damaging winds over 60 mph are possible, according to a Monday afternoon advisory.