Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows. Chevron right
Recovery teams, displaced residents in Texas face brutal heat. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

86°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

86°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

When will needed rain arrive to drought-plagued areas of the central US?

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Published Nov 30, 2017 12:50 PM EDT | Updated Jul 1, 2019 5:16 PM EDT

Copied

Building drought conditions will elevate the brush fire threat across the central and southern Plains through the weekend, but a pattern change may bring beneficial rain to parts of the region this week.

Sparse rainfall since September has led to a significant rise in moderate to extreme drought across the South Central states. Drought conditions expanded by 10 percent from Nov. 21 to Nov. 28, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

At the end of August, unusual dryness was mainly confined to southern Texas. The dry conditions have since spread to the north and east into the lower and middle Mississippi Valley.

The northern Plains have been dealing with a far worse drought since the summer.

South Central Dry Spell 12.1 AM

Vegetation has dried out and become fuel for brush fires should a spark ignite.

Winds will increase early this week, further enhancing the risk of wildfire spread.

Avoid throwing lit or used cigarettes on the ground, outdoor burning and parking a car over dry brush as the hot exhaust system can be enough to trigger a spark.

RELATED:

Early week midwestern US snowstorm to usher in the coldest air of the season
Real Christmas trees are better for the environment, experts say
Winter’s revenge: Arctic plunge to bring snow opportunities to eastern US through mid-December

A major change in the weather pattern will offer some relief this week.

“At the leading edge of the cold shot spreading south and east next week, there might be an opportunity for some good soaking rain in areas from the central Plains through the Midwest next Monday and Tuesday,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jack Boston said.

Disruptive snow is also expected on the northwestern flank of the storm, while rain and thunderstorms will also spread into the lower Mississippi Valley.

Storms Dec 3 pm

The beneficial rain could come with the risk of locally severe thunderstorms given the strength of the invading chill. At this time, the greatest threat from any stronger storms will likely be damaging winds.

Dallas may receive its first measurable rainfall since Nov. 8 from Monday to Tuesday. Little Rock, Arkansas, has remained dry since Nov. 18, but will likely receive a thorough soaking during this time frame.

The dampened vegetation and cold air invasion will put an end to the brush fire risk for the remainder of the first week of December.

However, not all of the Plains will benefit from the wet weather preceding the early week cold shot. Rain and thunderstorms developing along the storm's cold front are expected to do so after the front crosses most of Kansas, western and central Oklahoma and western Texas.

Report a Typo

Weather News

video

'By far the biggest one we've had:' Extreme flood slams disaster-stric...

Jul. 9, 2025
Weather News

Death toll climbs to 120 in Texas floods as search continues for 170 m...

Jul. 10, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Weather News

The faces of the Texas flooding tragedy

Jul. 7, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Texas Hill Country recovery, cleanup teams to face brutal July weather

1 hour ago

Weather News

State inspection before floods found Camp Mystic had emergency plan

6 hours ago

Weather News

Deadly flash flooding devastates wildfire-scarred New Mexico town

6 hours ago

Astronomy

1st full moon of summer to rise Thursday night

1 day ago

Weather News

Most Texas flood victims face devastation without flood insurance

3 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Health

How can families handle new anxieties around summer camp?

31 minutes ago

AccuWeather Ready

Floodwater rising in your house? Do this

2 days ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

8 minutes ago

Weather News

Earthquake swarm detected at Mount Rainier, biggest since 2009

5 hours ago

Weather News

The US has a plan to breed millions of flies and drop them from planes

15 minutes ago

AccuWeather Weather News When will needed rain arrive to drought-plagued areas of the central US?
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...