Severe Weather Makes a Comeback in the Central U.S. Heading Into the Weekend

Severe weather is making a comeback in the central U.S. this weekend, raising the threat of flooding despite the beneficial relief from the drought. Read on for the details of the impending storms heading into the weekend.

Thunderstorms Forecast to Erupt Again Across the Plains and the Midwest

Thunderstorms will make a return to the Plains and the Midwest in the days ahead. Communities that see repeated rounds of rain will be under the threat of flash flooding. Many areas of the nation's heartland are dealing with swollen rivers and saturated ground because of the active weather pattern as of late.

The Plains and the Midwest enjoyed a short break from the storm onslaught on Thursday and Friday. Nearly 300 incidents of severe weather occurred on Wednesday in this part of the country. The bulk of the reports came at the hands of high winds. There were also over 20 reports of tornadoes. This number could increase after storm surveyors assess the damage.

The line of severe storms shifted to the east on Thursday, giving the central U.S. a chance to catch its breath before the atmosphere reloads and strikes again. A storm ejecting out of the Rockies this weekend will result in the chance of severe impacts in a zone from the High Plains to the Ohio Valley.

The threat of damaging thunderstorms will stretch from southeastern Wyoming and eastern Colorado to the east into southwestern Iowa and western Missouri. The potential impact zone includes most of Nebraska and Kansas, as well as the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles.

A higher concentration of storms is predicted to train over the northeastern corner of Colorado through central Nebraska and far eastern Kansas. Forecasters are warning that winds could gust up to 90 mph. There is a chance that tornadoes could spin up within the most potent storm cells. Those in the line of fire should also be prepared for large hail.

The parent storm coming out of the Rocky Mountains will move to the east as the weekend progresses. This movement will put areas of the Ohio Valley and the middle portions of the Mississippi Valley under the umbrella of potential storms by Sunday. Damaging straight-line wind gusts and tornadoes will be possible as the weekend comes to a close.

Storms Shift East on Monday, Bringing Threat of Flooding to Larger Area

Looking ahead to Monday, storms could complicate the start to the new work week farther to the east. The eastern Great Lakes, the interior Northeast, and the southern flank of New England will all be under the risk of thunderstorms and substantial rain.

Despite all of the rain lately, some portions of the central U.S. continue to grapple with drought conditions. However, the recent bouts of heavy rain have also contributed to small stream and river flooding throughout much of the region. For instance, minor to moderate flooding is currently happening along the Illinois and Wabash rivers. Water levels are also rising across stretches of the Mississippi River.

The incoming moisture this week will amplify the flooding concerns. In addition, stream and secondary river flooding is also expected to become an issue across the Plains to the east into the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 4 inches are on tap from the weekend into the early part of next week. Locally higher amounts up to 6 inches are possible in the hardest-hit areas over the next few days.

The stream of torrential rain and severe thunderstorms is predicted to creep to the south and the east on Monday and Tuesday. The heaviest rain bands are forecast to set up across a swath of land from the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas into the southern Appalachians in Georgia, North Carolina, western Virginia, and West Virginia.

Water levels across secondary rivers will inch up as the rain continues to fall. Flash flooding will be a threat to monitor in the days ahead, particularly in areas that have been targeted by storms recently.

The torrential downpours will stretch well into the Northeast through the early part of next week. This is good news for areas still dealing with drought conditions; however, the persistent stream of moisture will also support the development of urban and localized flooding.

Residents in a zone from Texas to the Florida Panhandle and the Southeast will also want to be aware of the potential for heavy rain and flooding well into next week as a result of the former Tropical Storm Arthur. It has been a soggy few days across the Gulf Coast and the southeastern U.S. thanks to the first named tropical feature of the Atlantic season. Up to 2 feet of rain has been recorded since Tuesday due to Arthur's impacts.

The community of Cottonport, Louisiana, notched a total of 31.56 inches of rain in just over 24 hours. While the totals are still being confirmed, rainfall records may have been broken in several Gulf Coast states.

We will continue to monitor where the core of the rain and storms is headed next as the week progresses.

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