Severe storms, flash flooding to pester north-central US

In addition to rounds of severe weather, portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin will face an increased flash flood risk through early next week.

Pockets of severe thunderstorms will be spread across multiple regions of the United States into the weekend, bringing the risk of flash flooding, gusty winds and lightning. While not every shower will erupt into a thunderstorm, and storms that do develop may not all turn severe, they can still disrupt daily routines and outdoor plans.

Thanks to shorter daylight and less intense sunshine, we are reaching the point in summer when not every shower will produce thunder and lightning, and not every thunderstorm will bring damaging winds, hail and flash flooding. As a result, we have entered the phase of the summer when meteorologists look for conditions that are most ideal for thunderstorms and potential severe weather.

More storms for Plains, Midwest into Saturday night

On Thursday, a cluster of damaging wind-producing thunderstorms swept from northeastern Wyoming to the western and southern portions of South Dakota. Part of this same area, but with an eastward extension, will be at risk for severe weather to end the week.

The severe weather threat Friday to Friday night extended from the far eastern Wyoming border to central and southern Minnesota, northern Iowa and western Wisconsin. There were multiple reports of hail and high winds, the highest recorded gust was 79 mph in southeastern South Dakota.

Once again, on Saturday, a pocket of severe weather will linger over a portion of the Plains and extend even farther to the east into the Great Lakes region.

Saturday's severe weather threat will extend from the Dakotas through central and southern Minnesota, much of Wisconsin and the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Spottier thunderstorms toward St. Louis could pack some locally damaging wind gusts.

Elsewhere, storms in the Southeast will represent the greatest concentration of storms capable of producing flash flooding into the weekend.

In South Texas, the risk of flash flooding will also be elevated into Saturday. A batch of showers and thunderstorms which has traveled from the western end of the Caribbean at midweek to the southwest Gulf will enhance rain.

Storms continue on Sunday and Monday

Thunderstorms on Sunday will extend from far southern Saskatchewan to northwestern Indiana. While strong winds will be the main concern, storms can also produce hail, localized flash flooding and even a tornado.

It is possible that thunderstorms that rumble in the Northeast states become locally severe on Sunday as well. A cold front will be sagging southward into a zone of very warm and humid air.

To start the week, the risk of severe thunderstorms will shift slightly south, but many major Midwest cities, including Chicago, will be in the crosshairs once again.

The main risks will be hail, localized flash flooding and wind gusts that could knock over trees and power lines.

Flash flood risk to increase across Minnesota, Wisconsin

As rounds of showers and thunderstorms continue to track across the same areas of the Midwest into early next week, the risk of flash flooding is expected to increase. A wide swath of at least a few inches of rain is expected across much of central and eastern Minnesota and a majority of Wisconsin.

Rain amounts could approach or eclipse half of a foot in localized areas from near the Mississippi River eastward to the western shores of Lake Michigan. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dealt with extensive rain and flash flooding earlier this week and will once again be within the zone at risk for persistent downpours.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.

Report a Typo