Active Weather Pattern Set to Return to the Plains and Beyond

The severe weather outlook for the week ahead shows the re-emergence of more stormy conditions for the central and eastern portions of the nation. Meanwhile, the volatile weather will linger for the northern Rockies and also in the southeastern corner of the U.S. Here is a look at what is on tap for thunderstorm activity in the days ahead.

Monday's Severe Weather Will Persist Over the Southeast and Into Florida

Isolated pockets of severe weather will continue to pop across parts of the central and eastern U.S. to start the new week. These sporadic storms will signal the beginning of a more widespread threat that is expected to take hold by the middle of the month.

It was an unsettled end to the weekend across the Southeast and the mid-Atlantic as storms expanded to the north on Sunday. While this region is not anticipating another full-fledged outbreak of severe storms this week, you cannot rule out errant activity that could pack strong winds and isolated tornadoes. The heavy rain associated with the storms out East will result in a heightened threat of flooding by the middle of the week.

A new storm system came together over the northern Rockies late Sunday as the jet stream dipped to the south and met up with a mass of unseasonably warm temperatures. It was a scorcher of a weekend for the northern Rockies and over into the northern Plains with temperatures that hovered in the 80s and 90s.

The start of the week will be more docile in nature for the Plains states and the north-central U.S. Instead, the bulk of the activity will still remain over the Southeast and Florida.

For instance, Monday is shaping up to be a messy affair for Orlando. The city in Central Florida is preparing for thunderstorms in the morning that persist through the afternoon hours. There is a chance of flooding rainfall out of this system. Highs will still manage to make it to the 80-degree mark despite the clouds.

Orlando is also forecast to see winds out of the south-southeast at 10 to 15 mph. Overnight lows will land in the upper 60s.

Atlanta will also be under the gun for scattered storms on Monday. The Peach City will see highs that top out in the mid 70s while lows will slip to about the 60-degree barrier after the sun goes down. Although this part of the region will not see a major moisture producer, gusty winds and small hail are possible.

Stormy Conditions for the Plains by the Middle of the Week

The action will fire up again in the middle of the week as cooler air filtering in from the Pacific Northwest spreads across the northern Plains. The clash of the arriving cool air and the warmer air already in place will support the development of storms on Wednesday afternoon and evening across the Dakotas and into Nebraska. The line of storms is also likely to reach as far as Minnesota and Iowa.

The primary impacts associated with the mid-week weather maker are likely to include large hail that could clock in as big as baseballs. Locally damaging winds are also possible with this storm system.

Thursday's forecast is calling for the severe weather to move across the Midwest as it picks up steam. Numerous storms are on tap in a zone from Illinois to eastern Iowa, down into the northeastern corner of Missouri, western Indiana, and the southern fringe of Wisconsin.

Cities in the line of fire for Thursday's activity include Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Des Moines. For instance, Chicago is expecting the return of storms on Thursday afternoon and evening. It will be a breezy day in the Windy City with winds out of the south-southeast at 10 to 20 mph. The forecast is calling for a high of about 79 degrees and lows that land at about 60 degrees.

More Storms on Tap for End of the Week and Into the Weekend

By Friday, the storms are forecast to creep to the southeast. This will put the Tennessee Valley, the lower Mississippi Valley, and portions of the Ohio Valley in the line of fire. Forecasters are warning that nearly 20 states could see the effects of this stormy weather pattern heading into the weekend.

Looking ahead to next week, the threat of storms is predicted to move back to the west a bit, bringing the central and southern Plains into the fold. Some areas of the middle and lower Mississippi Valley may also be at risk of more storms as the new week begins. While it is still early to forecast with precision, meteorologists are warning that all of the atmospheric elements will be in place for a large-scale severe weather outbreak to happen over the next week. We will continue to closely monitor this fluid and potentially dangerous situation.

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