MORE HEAVY RAINS AND STORMS

Storm Snowfall Map 1

Severe weather is expected to develop across the High Plains today as thunderstorms intensify from portions of Colorado and Kansas northward into Nebraska and surrounding areas. The strongest storms are expected to become supercells capable of producing large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes during the afternoon and evening hours.

This will be the first phase of a multi-day severe weather event. As the storms move eastward tonight and Sunday, they will spread into the mid-Mississippi Valley, where thunderstorms are expected to organize into one or more squall lines. Damaging winds will become the primary threat, although hail, torrential rainfall, and isolated tornadoes may also occur.

A second round of severe weather is expected to develop behind the initial system on Sunday, bringing additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across the Mississippi Valley. The combination of repeated storms and already saturated ground may increase the risk of flash flooding and localized flooding problems in some areas.

By Monday, the storm system and associated heavy rainfall will spread eastward into the Appalachian Mountains, where thunderstorms may continue to produce heavy downpours and gusty winds.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast will remain under the influence of deep tropical moisture. From parts of Texas eastward through the central Gulf Coast states, additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to aggravate ongoing flooding concerns. Areas that have already received substantial rainfall may be especially vulnerable to renewed flooding through the weekend.

Main Concerns

• Supercell thunderstorms with hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes across the High Plains today.

• Squall lines and severe thunderstorms moving into the Mississippi Valley on Sunday.

• Heavy rainfall and flash flooding potential from repeated rounds of storms.

• Heavy rain spreading into the Appalachians on Monday.

• Continued flooding concerns along the Gulf Coast due to persistent tropical moisture.