Dangerous Severe Storms, Flooding from Texas to Ohio
A torrential downpour sweeping across downtown Columbus, Ohio. (Courtesy of AccuWeather.com Facebook Fan Will Alston)
As waves of low pressure keep riding along a stationary front draped from the southern Plains to the mid-Atlantic, more rounds of heavy showers and storms are in store for these areas the next few days.
Storms that develop from western Texas to Ohio today have the potential to turn severe and produce life-threatening flash flooding.
Severe Storm Threat into Tonight
Storms rolling through the central and southern Plains early on Friday morning will advance eastward into the Midwest, from Missouri and southern Iowa through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, today into tonight.
Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail will be produced by the strongest storms, threatening localized damage and endangering lives in some communities.
Trees toppled by strong winds can fall onto vehicles and homes, while trees downed onto power lines can lead to power outages.
Isolated tornadoes can also touch down and cause extensive damage.
St. Louis, Mo., Springfield, Ill., Indianapolis, Ind., Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., are at risk.
A second and even more volatile round of storms will develop later in the day, from western Texas to southwestern Missouri and Arkansas.
High wind gusts, hail larger than golf balls and tornadoes will strike this corridor during the evening hours.
The greatest risk for destructive storms and tornadoes will be from Wichita Falls, Texas, to Springfield, Mo. Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla., lie within this zone.
While the threat for severe weather will last well into the night over the southern Plains, the flash flood threat will become an even bigger concern.
Dangerous Flash Flood Threat
The greatest threat of flash flooding will lie closest to the stationary front draped across the region, since this will be the focal point for the heaviest thunderstorms.
Moisture-rich air surging in from the Gulf of Mexico will provide plenty of fuel for torrential downpours. Several inches of rain can pour down in the matter of a few hours in some locations.
Some portions of the southern Plains are already dealing with dangerous flooding. Storms on Sunday and Sunday night soaked Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.
Water rescues and house evacuations were under way near Leawood, Mo., early on Monday morning with rapidly rising flood waters.
Wichita, Kan., was among the cities and towns hit hard by flooding on Sunday. Numerous roads became impassible and several vehicles stalled out in high water.
By tonight, thunderstorms will cluster together and drench Oklahoma to Missouri, resulting in more flooded roads and farmland.
The Ohio Valley states are at risk for flooding with additional rainfall today and tonight.
If you come across a roadway with water over it, turn around and find an alternate route. Taking the extra time to change routes could save your life.
Related to the Story:
Follow us on Twitter Breaking Weather
Extreme Weather with Henry Margusity
More Weather News
-
Memorial Day Weekend Heat Wave
May 23, 2012; 7:48 PM ET
Break out the fans and air conditioners and get the pools ready as a heat wave is poised for portions of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic this Memorial Day weekend.
-
Severe Storm Threat Wisconsin to Nebraska
May 23, 2012; 7:47 PM ET
Locally damaging storms will shift farther to the east and south in the Midwest into tonight.
-
Bud to Strengthen into a Hurricane in the Eastern Pacific
May 23, 2012; 7:45 PM ET
Bud may become the first hurricane of the season in the eastern Pacific, brushing the central Mexico coast with rain as it passes by.
-
Big Storms from Carolinas to the Delmarva
May 23, 2012; 7:43 PM ET
As a disturbance rolls slowly northeastward, thunderstorms from portions of the Carolinas to the Delmarva can be especially nasty into this evening.
-
Chile Drought May Be Dented by Rainstorm
May 23, 2012; 7:40 PM ET
A major rainstorm may be in the offing for drought-hit central and mid-southern Chile, including the nation's biggest population centers.
-
Everest Death Toll 4 from Weekend Rush
May 23, 2012; 7:38 PM ET
Another Everest climber was found dead this morning, bringing the weekend death toll to four, with one climber still missing.
-
India Heat Wave as Monsoon Eagerly Awaited
May 23, 2012; 7:35 PM ET
Sweltering heat, the hottest of 2012 in some areas, has spread discomfort across the Indian subcontinent, spurring anticipation of the coming rainy season
-
Still Rebuilding One Year After The Joplin, Mo., Tornado
May 23, 2012; 7:33 PM ET
-
East Daily Downpours This Week
May 23, 2012; 7:32 PM ET
A stalled weather pattern will bring a daily dose of disruptive downpours from portions of Florida to New England.
-
Record Flood on Amazon Tributary
May 23, 2012; 7:31 PM ET
The largest Amazon River tributary has marked its highest historical level following weeks of heavy rain in its catch basin, the AP has said.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100° | Wink, TX |
| Low | 29° | Mullan Pass, ID |
| Precip | 1.17" | Chapel Hill, NC |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
.jpg)
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.