85 MPH Wind Gusts and Flash Flooding Possible as Storms Roll Through the Central U.S.

Wave after wave of thunderstorms will roll through the central and eastern portions of the country this week, ushering in the chance of high winds, large hail, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes. This is what you need to know heading into the new week about where and when severe weather may strike.

Rounds of Severe Storms to Hammer the Plains and East Coast Through Monday

Several rounds of thunderstorms will roam a zone from the Plains to the East Coast in the days ahead, continuing the action that fired up over the weekend. Multiple severe weather reports were made on Saturday across Wyoming and northeastern Colorado to the east into Kansas. This same storm system shifted to the east on Sunday, sending the worst of the weather into the Midwest to close out the weekend.

Many of the largest cities in the Plains and the Midwest had to dodge storms as they tried to celebrate Father's Day with barbecues and other outdoor events. Metro areas such as Oklahoma City and St. Louis were once again ground zero for Mother Nature's wrath. This same general area has already seen repeated rounds of storms and localized flooding over the last few weeks.

Monday is shaping up to be a wet and stormy day for millions of Americans. In the central portions of the country, thunderstorms are expected to ignite along a cold front that is stretching from the Plains into the mid-Atlantic.

The line of rain and storms will spread to the east and toward the busy Interstate 95 corridor on the East Coast. You can expect inclement conditions up and down a large swath of this corridor, from Charlotte to the north in Philadelphia. Some of the strongest storms could produce localized flash flooding and other impacts capable of bringing travel to a halt at times. Storms that pop up ahead of the frontal boundary could enhance the already high rainfall totals, making it an especially soggy day for those in the East.

Storms will hold off until the latter part of the day for Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love is bracing for afternoon thunderstorms and evening rain showers on Monday. Highs will hover in the mid 80s before sliding to about the 70-degree mark overnight. It will be a bit breezy with winds out of the south-southeast at 10 to 15 mph. The chance of rain will persist into the start of the day on Tuesday, potentially resulting in a wet morning commute.

Flooding concerns will be the story across some parts of the South. The immense moisture that came along with the former Tropical Storm Arthur last week has led to saturated soil across the Gulf Coast and Southeast. Water levels in area streams and rivers are also running high at this time. This means that it will not take much additional rain to exacerbate this flooding risk.

The southern flank of the weather maker will feature storms in places such as Nashville. The Music City should be ready for rain showers in the morning evolving to scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. The Monday forecast is calling for highs in the upper 70s, lows that bottom out in the mid 60s, and winds out of west-southwest at 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Through Thursday: The Plains Take the Brunt

The focal point of the severe storms will zero in on the Plains on Tuesday and into the middle of the week. A parade of smaller disturbances ejecting out of the Rockies and into the Plains will merge with the warm and moisture-rich air coming from the south to fuel the development of daily thunderstorms.

Although this weather pattern will not result in a washout, those in the path will want to pay close attention to the hourly forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both days will see the primary impact zone set up across a swath of land from eastern Colorado and parts of Nebraska down into Kansas and the panhandle regions of Oklahoma and Texas. Potential threats include damaging winds and large hail. Forecasters are warning that the strongest winds could hit speeds of 85 mph.

The greatest chance of volatile thunderstorms in places such as Dodge City, Kansas, will hold off until the evening and overnight hours on Tuesday. Gusty winds and small hail are possible as the storm train chugs through this part of the state. Temperatures will remain moderate during this time, with highs topping out in the low 80s. Tuesday is setting up to be the breeziest day in southwestern Kansas with winds out of the south-southeast at 10 to 20 mph.

The chance of thunderstorms will expand farther on Thursday as a larger portion of the Plains falls under the umbrella of ripe conditions. Thursday's storms could stretch from Oklahoma City to as far north as Montana. The moisture associated with these storms will mean that localized flooding may once again be a problem for communities that experience multiple rounds of rain in the coming days. This will be a threat to stay on top of throughout the week, so be sure to check back often for the latest updates.

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