A large storm will affect the flood-weary central United States and produce heavy rain, snow and thunderstorms with localized severe weather late this week and into this weekend.
While a storm of this magnitude is fairly typical of the spring, it will cause a new round to problems for residents and travelers in the region.
Rain on saturated ground to stir more flooding problems
Enough rain may fall with the storm from the central Plains to part of the Midwest to aggravate the flooding situation.
A large swath of 1-3 inches of rain is likely to fall from central Nebraska and northeastern Kansas to northern Ohio and southern Michigan with the storm from Friday to Saturday. Locally higher amounts to 5 inches are likely.
"The bulk of the rain will fall south of the area where deep snow remains on the ground over the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.
However, in these northern areas, flooding is unavoidable even with a gradual thaw in absence of heavy rain over the next several weeks.
Major flooding has begun along the Minnesota, Big Sioux and northern Mississippi rivers this week and is expected to continue into April. In addition, major flooding is forecast along the Red River of the North from April to May.
While this would not typically do more than cause urban-style flooding problems, given its large size and location over saturated ground, it will likely agitate the river flooding at least in a small way.
Widespread river flooding has already been set into motion by prior storms, including the bomb cyclone from the middle of March and deep snowcover from the winter.
Because of the storm late this week, water levels are likely to fluctuate in the short term along small streams and several days to a week or more later downstream on the larger rivers.
While these fluctuations may be relatively minor and on the order of several feet along the major rivers, they are likely to prolong the overall flooding disaster that continues to unfold.
Additional typical spring storms that trek through the region are likely to do the same.
Snow to fall on storm's cold side
Like many spring storms, this one will have its wintry side.
"In terms of snow from the late-week storm, areas from southern Montana and Wyoming to western Nebraska are likely to receive the most snow," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.
A general snowfall of a few inches is forecast. However, local amounts close to a foot will be possible over the various ranges and foothills.
Some of this new snow and remaining older snow from the winter eventually will melt and join the high water levels along the Missouri River in the coming days and weeks.
Thunderstorms to erupt, may become severe in storm's warm sector
Whenever large storms sweep from the Rockies to the Midwest, like the upcoming storm late this week, there is the potential for severe weather.
While there may not always be a major severe weather outbreak with every such storm, there are risks to lives and property, even on a small scale.
RELATED:
Confirmed tornado touches down south of St. Louis; Baseball-sized hail reported in Texas
These 10 US cities had the highest snowfall totals this winter
MLB Opening Day forecasts: What to expect for games taking place in the northeastern US
The difference between tornado watches and warnings
Confirmed tornado touches down south of St. Louis; Baseball-sized hail reported in Texas
These 10 US cities had the highest snowfall totals this winter
MLB Opening Day forecasts: What to expect for games taking place in the northeastern US
The difference between tornado watches and warnings
AccuWeather meteorologists will be closely monitoring the situation for severe weather with the upcoming storm. However, it is likely that many areas will be hit with heavy, gusty thunderstorms, while a few locations may be targeted with more violent weather conditions.
"At this point, the Interstate 35, 40 and 70 corridors, from north-central Texas to northeastern Kansas, northern Missouri and central Illinois have the greatest chance of locally severe storms from Friday to Friday night,' Anderson said.
Everything from large hail to damaging winds, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
The risk of locally severe storms and isolated is likely to shift eastward over the middle and lower Mississippi Valley, the Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley this weekend.
Download the free AccuWeather app to receive the latest forecast information and potential advisories for your area later this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment