Flooding Anxiety Grows in the Midwest
Wet weather will persist across much of the Midwest through the end of the week. The combination of the rain and melting snow will cause flooding problems for parts of the region.
In the next few days, half of an inch to an inch of rain will drench the Upper Midwest. Rivers and streams that are already beginning to swell from melting snow will be overwhelmed by additional runoff.
The snow from the Dakotas to Wisconsin and Iowa will release several inches of liquid water as it melts. Over 6 inches of water is currently stored in the snowcover in parts of this area.
Fortunately, not all of this snow will melt just yet. Temperatures will remain cool enough to prevent the snow from melting quickly.
Low-lying areas and smaller streams and rivers will be the first to feel the effects from the sudden influx of water. As the water slowly drains from these waterways into the larger ones, major flooding could ensue on the major rivers.
The Red River Basin, as well as others over the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest, will face a growing concern for significant flooding in the coming weeks.
As the storm shifts into the Northeast late this week, similar flooding problems from the rain and melting snow will become likely.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 113° | Death Valley, CA |
| Low | 30° | Bellemont, AZ |
| Precip | 9.70" | Miami, FL |
WeatherWhys®
A large, horrific tornado struck the city of Joplin, Mo., last year on this date. The twister cut a deadly path across the south side of the city, leaving over 159 dead and at least 1,150 injured. The Joplin tornado currently ranks as the 7th deadliest tornado in U.S. history.
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
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