Rain Back in the Forecast This Weekend for Wide Swath of U.S.
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A wet and stormy pattern will return to parts of the central United States this weekend and will persist into next week.
An upper-level low will slowly move through the West as disturbances track into the Plains. High pressure will be located over the East and this setup will result in a southerly flow into the central U.S., which will bring increased moisture into the region from the Gulf of Mexico.
Due to the slow movement of this upper-level low, this soggy setup will last into at least the middle of next week.
Due to recent rainfall and rounds of additional rain, flooding will likely be a concern by next week.
There will also be the chance of severe thunderstorms at times, and the threat of severe weather may increase toward the middle of next week as the upper low finally approaches the Plains.
Below, we take a closer look at what to expect over the next several days.
Forecast Into Next Week
A disturbance will bring a few showers and thunderstorms to parts of the Northern and Central Plains through Friday before moisture increases by Saturday.
Saturday's Forecast
A weak area of low pressure at the surface along with an increase in moisture will result in the chance for rain and thunderstorms returning from parts of Texas into the mid-Mississippi Valley on Saturday.
Isolated severe thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon and evening in parts of the Southern and Central Plains.
The chance for showers and thunderstorms will persist into Saturday night in much of the Plains and portions of the Midwest.
Sunday's Forecast
A wave of low pressure along a stationary front will help produce more rain and thunderstorms through much of the Southern and Central Plains Sunday into Sunday night. The chance for showers may extend into parts of the Ohio Valley as well.
Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms may develop in portions of the Plains. In addition, the concern for flash flooding will likely increase in some areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
Monday's Forecast
Rain and thunderstorms may be widespread early next week, with the chance of showers and thunderstorms extending from Colorado into the mid- and lower Mississippi Valleys and possibly as far east as the mid-Atlantic.
Locally heavy rainfall may prompt flash flooding and strong to severe thunderstorms could develop once again.
(MAPS: 7-Day Forecast)
The wet, stormy pattern will continue into the middle of the week and there is a chance that the threat of severe thunderstorms will increase around Tuesday. However, it is too early for details, so be sure to check back in the days ahead for updates.
How Much Rainfall?
Rounds of heavy rainfall may result in multi-inch rainfall totals in parts of the Plains. The heaviest rainfall is expected in portions of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas through Wednesday.
Lighter rainfall is anticipated in parts of the Midwest and South.
Flooding will be a concern in parts of the Plains due to several rounds of rain into next week.
Many areas of the South have recently experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, and additional rainfall may be an issue. Soil moisture is already above average in parts of the South, especially from eastern Texas into Alabama, and more rain falling over saturated ground may cause flooding.
Locally heavy rainfall over a short period of time, especially during repeated thunderstorms, could also prompt flash flooding.
Several locations have seen far-above-average precipitation so far this spring and this year. New Orleans has measured more than 40 inches of rainfall since the start of this year, which is almost 20 inches above average. Farther west, Denver has received nearly double its average precipitation so far this year.
However, there are some locations that have seen less precipitation than average. This includes both Dallas and Houston, as well as Little Rock.
Drought has improved in parts of the Southern and Central Plains due to the recent rainfall. For example, at the start of this year, just over 80% of Texas was in drought, but according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, just over 44% of the Lone Star State is experiencing drought conditions.
This upcoming rain will likely be beneficial for further alleviating drought conditions.
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