From Texas to the Midwest: Where Severe Storms Could Strike This Week
November is known in meteorological circles as the secondary severe weather season. That reputation is already coming to fruition this year as a potent storm is unleashing severe thunderstorms across the central U.S. Here is a look at this dynamic weather maker and what you should expect in the coming days.
Secondary Severe Weather Season in Full Swing Across the Central U.S.
A powerful storm system is pushing across the central U.S. to start the week, ushering in the threat of heavy rain, hail, high winds, and flash flooding. This system will eventually track into the eastern U.S. as the week progresses.
The energy associated with this system will tap into the moisture-rich air coming up from the Pacific and the Gulf as it reaches the Plains states. The combination of this moisture and the energy is what fueled the development of storms across a swath of land along the Interstate 35 corridor in Texas and up through Oklahoma and Kansas on Monday.
Although the severe weather threat will come with its own set of disruptions, the moisture-packed storm is good news for parts of the eastern U.S. that are next in line for the impacts. It has been particularly dry for the eastern half of the country since the beginning of October. The upcoming rain event will work to break the largely stagnant weather pattern that has marked a good chunk of the fall season.
Although the spring is best known for a prevalence of thunderstorm activity, November is traditionally known for what meteorologists call the secondary severe weather season. The frequent intrusions of cold air coming down from the north often clash with the warm and humid conditions to the south, supporting the development of volatile storms.
What to Expect the Rest of the Week
Monday's storms will not be the end of the severe weather threat for the central U.S. The slow speed of this system means that the chance of thunderstorms will persist on Election Day for the Mississippi Valley and the Gulf Coast. Some of these storms may creep up into the Midwest at times. Voters in these regions will want to check the hourly forecast in their local area before heading out to the polls. Making a plan around when the storms are expected to roll through is a good idea.
Forecasters are warning that this storm may stall out on Tuesday, resulting in storms that repeat over the same general area. This will inherently increase the risk of locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Power outages are also a possibility if the winds start whipping around, adding another layer of potential disruptions at voting locations.
Cities that will be under the gun for Tuesday's severe weather include Houston, Dallas, Little Rock, and Memphis. Wind speeds could peak at 75 mph, bringing down trees and power lines. In addition to the usual heavy rain and high winds, some of the strongest storms could pack hail and isolated tornadoes into Tuesday evening.
While the threat of severe storms is forecast to be more localized by Wednesday, the risk of heavy rain will continue to impact a large swath of the nation. The areas most likely to see persistent thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday are the Gulf Coast and the Southeast.
Moving to the north, a steady stream of moisture will move into the Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes, and the mid-Atlantic. This line of rain will hit the northeastern corner of the country late in the week.
For instance, the latest forecast models signal that the rain will reach New York City by late in the day on Thursday, evolving into a steady rainfall in the overnight hours. Friday is setting up to be a soaker of a day for the Big Apple with persistent rainfall. Despite the arrival of the rain and associated cloud cover, highs will remain in the low 70s, well above the average for this time of the year.
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