Severe storms to relentlessly hammer central US into mid-April
Thunderstorms will bring relentless rounds of heavy rain and severe weather from the Plains to the Upper Midwest into the new week, raising flood risks and the potential for damaging winds, hail and a few tornadoes.
Bernie Rayno takes a look at what’s expected and who’s at risk.
A busy stretch of severe weather will focus on the Plains and Upper Midwest through this week, with repeated downpours in many of the same areas. The intensity of the thunderstorms is expected to increase through the weekend and into the new week, including a growing risk of tornadoes.
Far-reaching flood risk
The most consistent and widespread aspect of this stormy April pattern will be downpours capable of disrupting outdoor plans and slowing travel from Texas to Michigan. A general 1-4 inches of rain is expected through Tuesday, with localized totals of 6-8 inches.
This rainfall will help ease long-term drought across portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley. However, combined with high stream levels in the Upper Midwest and melting snow across the northern tier, it may worsen or prolong ongoing flooding. Conditions can be dangerous for those taking in the waterfall season across the Upper Midwest.
New flash flooding may develop in urban areas and along small streams farther south.
Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms will span up to 1,500 miles on some days this week. The timing and intensity of the severe weather each day will depend on the track and strength of storm systems moving out of the Rockies toward the Great Lakes.
Sunday
On Sunday, severe thunderstorms will expand to include areas of 10 states, stretching from near the Rio Grande in central Texas to just north of Duluth, Minnesota.
Storms on Sunday could bring a few tornadoes, along with high winds and hail. Dallas, Oklahoma City, Minneapolis and Kansas City, Missouri, are among the major cities at risk.
Monday
On Monday, storms will develop along a zone similar to Sunday's, from central Texas to northern Wisconsin and Michigan.
Storms capable of bringing high winds, hail and a few tornadoes will extend eastward and reach the Chicago metro area. A more concentrated zone of severe thunderstorms is expected from southern Minnesota through southern Wisconsin.
Tuesday
Tuesday could have the most widespread severe weather across the Central states. A more concentrated zone of severe thunderstorms is forecast from central Oklahoma to southeastern Iowa and central Wisconsin, endangering lives and property.
Tuesday’s severe weather may bring hail, high winds and a few tornadoes from central Texas to central Wisconsin and Michigan.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, the risk of severe thunderstorms will shift eastward and may not be as high as on Tuesday, but the storms could still disrupt travel and cause property damage. Thunderstorms will rumble from northeastern Texas to southeastern Minnesota, central Wisconsin, the southern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and southwestern Ontario.
Once again, the stronger storms will pack the risk of hail, high winds and a few tornadoes.
Some heavy, gusty thunderstorms may reach the Northeast on Wednesday night as cooler air advances into the region amid a building heat wave.
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Later this week, the risk of severe weather is likely to continue but may consolidate farther southwest across the southern Plains.
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