Extreme heat and humidity will provide the fuel needed for severe thunderstorms in the coming days
Published Jul 29, 2023 12:28 PM EDT | Updated Jul 30, 2023 3:09 PM EDT
Powerful thunderstorms are expected to erupt across the central United States in the coming days, bringing with them the potential for damaging winds, massive hail and flash flooding. A dome of high pressure firmly established over the Four Corners and southern Plains regions will yield a weather pattern that will dictate the storms' trajectories across the center of the nation.
As the heat dome holds strong, it will continue to result in scorching temperatures and soaring humidity levels across the southern Plains. The combination of ample heat and high humidity will yield the perfect recipe for thunderstorms farther north that can stretch from the Front Range through the Plains and into the Midwest.
The risk for severe thunderstorms through this weekend across the center of the nation was already well underway Saturday morning as a dangerous complex of thunderstorms rolled through Nebraska, producing damaging wind gusts in places like Grand Island and Lincoln. These storms continued southeastward through the day, with damaging winds continuing across north-central Missouri and into western Kentucky.
Into Sunday, the atmosphere is expected to reload along the Front Range and northern High Plains.
The primary threats associated with these thunderstorms will include damaging wind gusts, large hail and torrential downpours. These winds could reach destructive speeds, posing a risk to structures, trees and power lines. In addition, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out within this zone.
Hailstones may pelt residents, motorists and even cattle, potentially causing major damage. Additionally, heavy rainfall from these storms could lead to flash flooding in low-lying areas, endangering lives and property.
Progressing through this week, many of the same areas that face the threat of severe weather over the weekend will continue to reside within the danger zone.
The severe thunderstorm threat this week is expected to feature a heightened flood risk in addition to all other hazards that come along with severe thunderstorms. This heightened risk will come along from a boost in available moisture from an uptick in monsoon activity across the Southwest.
Another batch of thunderstorms could erupt farther east on Monday, including areas from eastern Nebraska and southern Iowa into northern Mississippi.
As monsoon thunderstorms blossom across the Four Corners and Central Rockies early this week, these too will ride around the fringes of the heat dome in the days to follow.
This thunderstorm activity can regenerate for several days, so it is imperative to be prepared for the possibility of multiple storm rounds, and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
The constant barrage of thunderstorms riding along the northern periphery of the heat dome early this week is expected to squash the heat farther south by mid- to late week. This can shift the corridor of thunderstorm activity farther south as well, bringing rain chances back into Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
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