May 18, 2019

Repeating storms to renew threat of flooding over north-central US

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

May 18, 2019, 9:19:33 AM EDT

As the risk of severe weather continues over the central United States, so will the risk of flooding all over again from parts of the central and northern Plains to the Upper Midwest through the upcoming week and beyond.

The same pattern poised to bring multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms will produce repeating downpours.

"Some of the upcoming rainfall may overlap locations that were hit hard with flooding during the latter part of the winter and the first part of the spring," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

Rainfall during the period ending on Sunday night, May 19, will average 2-4 inches with much heavier amounts in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.

However, more storms and rounds of rain are poised to roll in from the Pacific next week.

The storms will dip southward over the southern Rockies and then turn northeastward across the Plains.

This pattern will allow the storms to tap abundant Gulf of Mexico moisture and release that in the form of severe thunderstorms and torrential rainfall.

The next storm will swing northeastward from Monday to next Wednesday. Another may follow during the latter part of next week.

It is conceivable that parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest may receive 12-18 inches of rain during the second half of May alone.

Initially, the major rivers are likely to handle the rainfall with little impact. Most rivers in the region are receding and a large number of points along the river are likely to have water levels dip below moderate flood stage over the next week.

However, as rain repeats over some of the same locations, there is the risk of new surges of water that potentially may bring moderate to major flooding.

More trouble ahead for agricultural communities

Breaks in between the rain events may be limited to a few hours to a couple of days through the end of the month. Where it rains hard, fields may be too wet to plow in between the storms.

"Farmers not in the flood plain, who might be waiting for ideal conditions to plow or plant, may want to reconsider to avoid further delays," Pastelok said.

The window of opportunity for planting, especially west of the Mississippi River, may not open again until June over parts of the Plains and a portion of the Upper Midwest.

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert of flood warnings. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Comments

Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

More Weather News

LIVE: Deadly tornado outbreak strikes central US

Weather News - May 23, 2019, 3:12:06 AM EDT

Three fatalities have been reported near Golden City, Missouri, as a severe thunderstorm outbreak hit Oklahoma to Illinois on Wednesday. A tornado also struck the capital city of Jefferson City, Missouri, producing extensive damage.
Severe thunderstorms to delay Memorial Day travel as nearly 43 million Americans take vacation

Weather News - May 22, 2019, 10:53:58 PM EDT

This Memorial Day weekend is set to have the second-highest travel volume on record since AAA began tracking holiday travel volumes in 2000; INRIX predicts drive times could be more than three times longer than normal.
Severe storms to accompany uptick in heat, humidity across northeastern US

Weather News - May 22, 2019, 3:29:09 PM EDT

Isolated tornadoes are among the dangers as a surge of heat and humidity helps to fuel severe thunderstorms in the northeastern United States on Thursday.
More severe storms, tornadoes to batter central US in advance of Memorial Day weekend

Weather News - May 22, 2019, 7:14:01 PM EDT

After a severe weather outbreak hammered areas from Texas to Kansas and Missouri early this week, more severe weather will threaten these same areas in the days leading up to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Triple-digit heat to challenge long-standing records in southeastern US starting Friday

Weather News - May 22, 2019, 3:46:01 PM EDT

Temperatures approaching the century mark amid the hottest weather yet this year will challenge records in many places that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Forecasters urge coastal residents to prepare now as Atlantic hurricane season looms

Weather News - May 22, 2019, 1:43:10 PM EDT

There is concern that the Gulf of Mexico may be the breeding ground for a second tropical storm to form before the Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1.
1st tropical system of the season may develop in the East Pacific later this week

Weather News - May 22, 2019, 11:32:34 AM EDT

Heading into the second week of the 2019 hurricane season in the East Pacific basin, there is the potential for a system to develop near the Central American coast.
Trackers see great white shark in Long Island Sound for first time

Weather News - May 22, 2019, 11:30:54 AM EDT

In a circumstance similar to the iconic film Jaws, a great white shark -- one of the most predatory types in the world -- has been detected for the first time in an estuary on the Northeast U.S. coast.