A powerful, multiday spring storm is expected deliver a dangerous mix of severe weather, flooding and heavy snow across much of the Central and Eastern United States this week, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Forecasters warned of “significant, life-threatening, and potentially catastrophic flash flooding” in parts of the Lower Ohio Valley and Mid-South, along with widespread severe thunderstorms and a late-season winter storm in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
Severe Weather In The Central U.S.
The severe weather threat will ramp up Tuesday night into Wednesday, with intense thunderstorms expected across the Central and Southern Plains.
The NWS’ Storm Prediction Center maintained an Enhanced Risk (level 3 out of 5) for severe weather, warning of “very large hail, damaging winds, and several tornadoes, some of which could be strong.”
As the system moves east, the severe weather risk will spread into the Midwest and Mississippi Valley on Wednesday.
The Weather Prediction Center forecast noted an increasing potential for thunderstorms to “cluster/repeat over the same regions by Wednesday evening,” raising the threat of flash flooding.
Flood Threats
The flash flood threat is most concerning in parts of Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky and Northwest Tennessee, where forecasters have issued a High Risk (level 4 out of 4) of Excessive Rainfall warning for Thursday.
Several inches of rain are forecast, and some locations could receive more than 10 inches over the next seven days.
“This will be the beginning of a multi-day significant, life-threatening flash flood event,” Weather Prediction Center forecasters wrote.
The Storm Prediction Center said that clusters of strong to severe storms could persist into Friday and Saturday, with “supercells possible from East Texas into the Mississippi Valley and parts of the Southeast.”
Winter Storm In Upper Midwest
North of the severe weather and flooding, a late-season winter storm is expected to pummel the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
The Weather Prediction Center forecast heavy snow accumulation from the eastern Dakotas through Central and Northern Minnesota into Northern Wisconsin, with totals of four to eight inches and locally higher amounts.
Gusty winds may lead to blowing snow and hazardous travel conditions. A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain is expected further southeast, from Central Minnesota and Wisconsin east into Michigan.
Unsettled Weather Out West
The West will be active as well. Coastal rain and heavy mountain snow will continue, especially in California’s Sierra Nevada and the Northern and Central Rockies.
Strong winds, with gusts up to 60 mph, are expected to accompany the trough across the Southwestern and Southern Rockies, creating dangerous fire weather conditions.
Storm Pattern Continues Into Weekend
The threat of severe weather will not end with the workweek.
Conditions will remain favorable for severe storms into the weekend and early next week across the Southeast and East.
Warmer temperatures will gradually expand across the south-central and eastern states late in the week, with highs reaching the 70s and 80s.
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