AccuWeather.com

By Katie Storbeck, Meteorologist

Jun 21, 2011; 5:02 AM ET

Share |

"Torrential rain and severe thunderstorms from this system will cause trouble for more than a quarter of the nation"

A far-reaching storm system will continue its journey across the central Plains through tonight producing torrential rain and severe thunderstorms across more than a quarter of the nation.

The steadiest rain will reach from the eastern Dakotas into Wisconsin, where totals of around an inch or two of rain can be expected through tonight. Locally higher amounts will inundate some cities and towns with localized flooding.

Additional excessive rainfall could exacerbate farther reaching flooding problems in the region, including along the Missouri River, where some locations in Nebraska and Iowa are already enduring major to record flooding.

Motorists should exercise caution while on the go through tonight.

Ponding of water on pavement will lead to a heightened risk of hydroplaning, while visibility could be significantly reduced in torrential downpours. Travel may be slowed for a time along portions of Interstates 94, 90, 80, 39, 35 and 29 as a result.

Travelers could be forced to navigate detours around street flooding as well. Do not put your life at risk by attempting to drive through flooded roads.

This same storm system will also trigger destructive thunderstorms elsewhere from the Southern Plains through the Mississippi and Tennessee River Valleys. These storms will menace cities and towns from Iowa to Ohio on southward through Arkansas and Texas.

The thunderstorms will feature blinding downpours, wind gusts past 60 mph and large hail. Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski pointed out on Monday that "dozens of tornadoes are also possible ... into the middle of the week."

The area that stands the greatest threat for tornadoes includes Chicago, Ill., Madison, Wisc, and Rockford, Ill. These areas lie closest to the aforementioned area of low pressure and will experience the best "twisting of the winds in the atmosphere."

Other cities that could be struck by severe weather through tonight include Indianapolis, Ind., Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., St. Louis, Mo., and Little Rock, Ark.

The soaking rain and threat of severe weather will shift steadily eastward through the middle of the week. On Wednesday, rain will drench the Great Lakes, while powerful thunderstorms rattle a zone from Nashville, Tenn., to Detroit, Mich., and New York City, N.Y.