Severe Weather Sticking Around Through the Weekend for Much of U.S.

Dozens of states to the east of the Rocky Mountains will be under the gun for severe weather and heavy rain into next week. The southern tier of the country will bear the brunt of these storms. Read on for a closer look at the timing and the anticipated impact zones of this latest rash of unsettled weather.

Stormy Weather Pattern to Persist in Areas East of the Rockies

Dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to roam much of the South and beyond. Over 100 million Americans will be at risk of repeated rounds of thunderstorms to start the month of June.

The storms are being fueled by an influx of hot temperatures and moist air coming up from the Gulf. More areas of low pressure are expected to push across the central U.S. through the weekend and into the early part of next week, sending the stormy conditions through the Plains and into the Southeast.

Local weather agencies have already fielded hundreds of reports of large hail, tornadoes, and wind damage since the month of June kicked off. Some of the same areas that have seen severe weather over the last few days will remain under this threat through Monday.

The southern Plains woke up on Friday morning to a large weather maker that unleashed hurricane-force winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes. As the day progresses, storms will remain a threat for the southern Plains and into the Tennessee and Ohio valleys. The highest risk of tornadoes and large hail will focus on an area from the Texas Panhandle and up into southeast Colorado and the southwestern corner of Kansas. Some of these storm cells could also migrate into portions of Pennsylvania and central and southern New England by the end of the day.

The heavy rain coming along with this system could trigger flash flooding concerns in parts of Oklahoma and across the Ohio, Tennessee, and mid-Mississippi valleys. While the coastal areas of the Northeast will dodge the significant rain, the interior portions of the region are forecast to see some of this moisture.

Southern U.S. Will See Majority of Saturday's Storms

Heading into Saturday, the southern U.S. will experience the bulk of the impacts. The primary zone of impact will expand from Oklahoma and North Texas to the east into Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Damaging winds and frequent lightning strikes are the greatest concerns on Saturday.

Flash flooding could also present concerns for areas that see repeated downpours. Motorists will want to be prepared for ponding on roadways and reduced visibility during times of heavy rain.

While Friday's highest tornado threat will train over the High Plains, the greatest chance of twisters coming to life on Saturday will be in areas farther south and the east. Meteorologists are predicting that the area between interstates 20 and 40 in the mid-South will see a moderate risk of tornadic activity.

The steady stream of moisture expected with these storms will increase the risk of rain-wrapped tornadoes. These tornadoes are more difficult to spot because they can be obscured by the rain. The danger is multiplied when the tornadoes spin up after dark.

Little Rock will be in the heart of the impacted area for Saturday's activity. The capital city is forecast to wake up to scattered thunderstorms to start the day. It will be a muggy day with highs of about 85 degrees and winds out of the southwest at 10 to 15 mph. The storms are likely to roam again during the evening and overnight hours. Rainfall of about an inch is also on tap after the sun goes down as the temperatures slip into the upper 60s.

On the northern fringe of the storm system, Wichita, Kansas, could once again be facing flooding issues. It has already been a soggy start to the month for the metro area in the south-central part of the Sunflower State with up to 5 inches of rain recorded thus far.

Sunday's Stormy Weather Pattern Expands

Sunday's forecast is calling for three different areas of severe weather expected to develop. The Midwest, the southern Plains, and the Southeast will be the targets of these storms. In addition to disrupting outdoor plans, air travel could also suffer delays as some of the country's busiest airport hubs are in the line of fire for this action.

The latest forecast models indicate that the Red River Valley of Oklahoma and Texas could see the most potent storms to close out the weekend. The line of severe impacts could also stretch to the east into Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and the southern edge of Missouri. The greatest concentration of storms is likely to erupt in the late afternoon and through the overnight hours. Forecasters warn that storms that happen under the cover of darkness are inherently more dangerous.

The weather will deteriorate quickly in places such as Wichita Falls, Texas. The community is forecast to enjoy mostly sunny skies early with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms coming together in the afternoon. Meteorologists warn that some of the storms could pack severe impacts. It will be a warm day with highs in the low 90s and winds out of the southeast at 10 to 15 mph. The evening and overnight forecast is calling for more of the same with 1 to 2 inches of rain in store.

A secondary zone of storms is expected near the coastline of the Southeast and to the north into southeastern Virginia. For example, Atlanta is anticipating strong thunderstorms in the morning with the gradual clearing as the day progresses. The cloud cover will keep temperatures at about 80 degrees while winds will clock in at 10 to 15 mph from the west-southwest.

Looking ahead to the new work week, the southern Plains and the South will once again be at risk of gusty thunderstorms on Monday. Should this forecast come to fruition, it will be the fourth straight day of severe weather for this weary region. Once again, high winds, hail, torrential rain, and isolated tornadoes are all on the table for the early-week storms.

Because of the repeated nature of these storms, the heaviest-hit parts of the South could record at least an inch of rain by Monday. A few inches of rain is a possibility for communities that see the storms stall out.

We will continue to keep tabs on this forecast and update accordingly. The bottom line is that the threats of severe weather are not likely to ease any time soon for a large swath of land east of the Rockies.

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