Central and Eastern United States — A volatile summer weather pattern is expected to bring thunderstorms, torrential rainfall and pockets of severe weather across parts of the central and eastern U.S. through early next week, potentially disrupting outdoor plans and creating dangerous travel conditions.
Meteorologists say steamy and humid air will provide plenty of fuel for thunderstorms, while weak fronts and areas around high pressure will help concentrate storms in several regions.
Some storms could become severe, producing damaging wind gusts and frequent lightning, while repeated heavy downpours could create a growing risk of flash flooding.
Plains and Midwest Face Severe Storm Threat
The severe weather pattern could become particularly active across portions of the Plains and Midwest this weekend.
After storms move through Friday, the overall severe threat is expected to ease somewhat across the Northeast. However, the storm pattern could shift north and west, creating conditions favorable for long-lasting thunderstorm complexes.
On Saturday night, storms capable of producing damaging winds could stretch from western Nebraska into northeastern Kansas, northern and central Missouri, Iowa and west-central Illinois.
The storms may also produce torrential rainfall, increasing the possibility of localized flooding in areas that receive repeated downpours.
By Sunday and Sunday night, another round of storms could develop farther north, extending from portions of South Dakota and Nebraska through Iowa and into northern Illinois and Indiana.
Forecasters say some storms could bring damaging wind gusts and flooding rainfall, while an isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out.
Southeast Could See Several Rounds of Heavy Rain
The Southeast will also remain vulnerable to frequent thunderstorms through the weekend. As circulation strengthens around an area of high pressure over the western Atlantic, increasing moisture is expected to move across the region.
This could lead to repeated rounds of heavy and locally gusty thunderstorms from Florida through Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee.
Some areas could receive several inches of rain over the next one to four days.
The rainfall could provide some relief from drought conditions in portions of Florida and southern Georgia, but the same heavy precipitation could create new problems where storms repeatedly track over the same locations.
Low-lying areas and places that receive the heaviest rainfall could face flash flooding, especially when drainage systems become overwhelmed.
Ohio Valley and Appalachians Face Bigger Flood Risk
The storm complexes that develop across the Midwest this weekend are expected to continue moving eastward early next week.
By Monday and Monday night, a broad corridor of thunderstorms could stretch from Illinois to West Virginia, bringing another round of damaging winds and flooding downpours.
The concern is that some locations could experience multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms during the first half of next week.
Repeated rainfall over a short period could produce a cumulative flooding threat, even in areas that do not experience extreme rainfall from any single storm.
Higher Terrain Could See Worst Flash Flooding
Forecasters are particularly concerned about areas where heavy rain overlaps with higher terrain.
The greatest flash flood risk is expected across portions of southeastern Ohio, eastern Kentucky, West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.
Mountainous and hilly terrain can cause water to move rapidly downhill, while repeated storms can quickly saturate the ground and overwhelm streams and drainage systems.
Residents in these areas should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, especially when thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same communities.
Outdoor Plans Could Face Weather Disruptions
The unsettled pattern means people planning outdoor activities across the central and eastern U.S. may need to keep a close eye on changing conditions.
Lightning, sudden downpours, strong winds and localized flooding can develop quickly during summer thunderstorms.
Travelers should also be prepared for reduced visibility, water-covered roads and sudden delays when storms move through.
With storms expected to continue from the Plains and Midwest into the Southeast, Ohio Valley and Appalachians, the weather pattern could remain active well into early next week.
Are you expecting severe weather or heavy rain in your area this weekend? Share your local forecast and weather conditions in the comments below.
