Severe Weather Threats Remain Across Nation's Heartland

The central U.S. will remain the nation's hotspot for thunderstorm activity well into Father's Day weekend. Here is a closer look at what you can expect from the timing and intensity of these storms.

Persistent Storms Target the Central U.S. for Rest of the Week

Storms will prowl the nation's heartland into the weekend, ushering in the chances of hail, high winds, frequent lightning strikes, and isolated tornadoes. The slow-moving nature of these storms could also cause flooding concerns when the same areas get hit by multiple rounds of rain.

Summer is the time of the year when lightning becomes a more prevalent danger. You will want to have an accessible shelter if spending time outside over the next few days. The storm cells will also be capable of unleashing damaging winds.

Hail the size of a pea to marble is a good possibility with this system. While hail of this size is not likely to cause considerable property damage, it may be big enough to prove hazardous to crops and vegetation in the region.

The primary impact zone for Wednesday's activity will center over central Nebraska to the east and into southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Motorists using portions of interstates 80 and 90 in this region will want to be prepared for inclement driving conditions at times.

A secondary area of impact will set up farther to the west. The northern Rockies and over to the Plains will be under the gun for the action. This impacted area includes all of Wyoming, central and southern portions of Montana, the southeastern corner of Idaho, northeastern Utah, western South Dakota and Nebraska, and the northern edge of Colorado.

This area of storms could also dip down into the Denver metropolitan area. It will be a warm day in the Mile High City with highs expected to approach the 90-degree mark despite the building cloud cover. The storms will move out overnight, leaving a low of about 59 degrees and drier conditions for the balance of the week.

Lastly, storms are on tap later in the day Wednesday over central and southeastern Texas, the western fringe of Louisiana, southwestern Arkansas, and across southern Oklahoma.

Thursday's Storms Will Shift to the East

A good portion of the storm cells will shift to the east on Thursday. Severe weather will remain a threat in central and northeastern Texas, the southwestern corner of Arkansas, and through western Louisiana. This same weather maker will also expand to the east, encompassing more of Arkansas and Louisiana before moving into northwestern Mississippi and western Tennessee.

Memphis will be one of the largest urban areas that could get caught up in the crosshairs of these storms. The city will see the risk of storms increase as the day progresses. It will be a muggy day with highs in the mid 80s and lows that fall to about the 70-degree mark.

The storms will erupt earlier in the day in Shreveport. The metro area in western Louisiana is forecast to wake up to stormy conditions that persist into the overnight hours. The mercury will top out in the upper 70s before sliding to about 73 degrees after the sun goes down. It will be a bit breezy with winds out of the south-southeast at 10 to 15 mph.

Little Rock will be at the center of the heaviest rain bands on Thursday. The capital city is bracing for 1 to 2 inches of rain that lingers into the overnight hours. The forecast is calling for a high in the low 80s and lows that bottom out at about the 70-degree mark.

Moving to the west and the south, locally severe storms are a possibility in a zone from central and eastern New Mexico to West Texas, Colorado's Interstate 25 corridor, and up into parts of the northern Plains.

For instance, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is predicted to wake up to rain showers in the morning before drier conditions arrive. Winds will be whipping around from the east-southeast at 10 to 20 mph while highs will reach about 84 degrees. Temperatures will fall into the mid 60s overnight.

Friday's forecast is predicting storms that will train over Texas and up to southern Montana. This day will be comparatively calmer when compared to earlier in the week, however, some of the storm cells could still turn volatile.

Weekend Forecast Calls for More of the Same

There will be no rest for the weary heading into Father's Day weekend. The most significant threat of storms will remain over the central U.S. Some of the activity will expand to the north, enveloping areas as far as northeastern Montana and western North Dakota.

The line of gusty thunderstorms will advance farther east as the weekend progresses. This will put the activity well into the Ohio and Tennessee valleys and parts of the central and southern Appalachians. The storms could reach the mid-Atlantic by the time the weekend wraps up.

The southern and middle swath of the Eastern Seaboard should prepare for storms that could disrupt outdoor activities on Sunday afternoon and evening. Be sure to check the local forecast if you are planning a Father's Day barbecue with dad on his special day.

For example, while it is still too early to predict with precision, Sunday's forecast in Washington, D.C. is calling for morning rain showers that evolve into thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures will fall noticeably from the low 90s to end the week with highs on Sunday topping out in the low 70s. The rainy weather pattern will stick around into Monday for the nation's capital.

Lastly, another round of severe storms is also in the forecast on Sunday for the northern and central Plains. We will continue to keep tabs on this developing forecast and update as the models become clearer approaching the holiday.

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