When will the central US get a break from severe weather?

Millions of people in the central United States dealing with relentless severe thunderstorms and downpours will have to continue to weather the volatile pattern a while longer.

"A storm tracking out of the northern Rockies will spread severe thunderstorms from the northern Plains to the Upper Midwest to end May," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said.

"Meanwhile, thunderstorms will slowly spread from northwest to southeast across the southern Plains through the first week of June. These thunderstorms will be capable of producing more flash flooding and the threat for localized severe thunderstorms will have to be monitored daily."

The spring severe weather season got off to a late start this year and will continue through much of June, AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok stated.

However, there is some good news for those weary of severe weather in parts of the Plains.

There will be a large, but temporary shift in the pattern centered on the second week of June.

"We expect a big push of dry air to sweep southward across the Central states, beginning on or around June 6," Pastelok said.

The wane in severe weather that will develop over the northern Plains later this week will extend into the the second week of June.

The swath of dry air will invade part of the central Plains, Midwest and lower Mississippi Valley.

However, the ongoing downpours this week will continue into the second week of June over the southern Plains, including a large part of Texas.

During June, there is usually a downturn in the amount of storm systems that results in less frequent severe weather events, when compared to April and into May.

The break in frequent severe weather farther north does not mean totally storm-free conditions.

"Additional systems will work their way across the northern Plains, providing some showers and thunderstorms," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Edward Vallee.

During the third week of June, a return of frequent severe weather over the Plains and Mississippi Valley is also anticipated. This would occur as humid air floods northward and the onslaught of storm systems resumes from the West.

A downturn in severe weather and rounds of rain is forecast for the heart of summer in the North Central states.

"We still anticipate heat and dryness to develop and expand over much of the north-central U.S. this summer," according to AccuWeather Senior Agricultural Meteorologist Dale Mohler.

The anticipated dryness could negatively impact crop production.

"In the short term, frequent rainfall and wet soil conditions in some areas have been delaying planting operations," Mohler said.

Crops that are planted later than usual in the spring could be more prone to negative impact from mid- to late-season dry spells.

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