Storms to bring drought relief, severe weather risk to central US through Monday
With the central United States in varying degrees of drought, a wet stretch of weather may compensate - or even overcompensate - for missed rainfall.
Following an abnormally cool August, some crops have been struggling to grow as harvest time approaches.
“The dry, warm weather of late has helped to speed up the maturity of corn, soybeans and other crops in the Midwest and Plains,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
This warmth has also slowly led to drought conditions forming over most of the central Plains.
“The rain is coming at a perfect time for many crops, especially winter wheat,” said Nicholls.
Rounds of steady rain and soaking storms will stretch from West Texas to Minnesota through Monday.
“In areas of the northern High Plains that were not decimated by drought this summer, the rainfall may salvage some of the corn crop,” he said.
While the dry ground is expected to soak up much of the water, localized flash flooding will be a threat through the end of the weekend.
Low-lying and poor drainage areas, especially in more urban areas, are more prone to minor flooding in this type of weather pattern.
Motorists should be careful to avoid flooded roadways and to obey all road closure signs.
While wet weather is expected to stick around through Monday, the heaviest storms will track out of the area as much cooler air sweeps in by the middle of the week. Portions of western and central Texas will then be at risk for heavy rainfall and flooding this week.
