Rounds of Storms, Rain to Continue for the Plains

By Brian Lada, Meteorologist

May 5,2015; 7:43PM,EDT

 

 

Daily episodes of severe thunderstorms and flooding downpours will impact the Plains this week, possibly lingering into the weekend.
"This will be an active pattern for the Plains this week." said AccuWeather.com Severe Weather Expert Henry Margusity.
People in some areas may have to wait until the weekend, or possibly longer, until they experience another day completely free of rain or thunderstorms.
This could lead to the delay or postponement of some outdoor events across the region, as well as having a negative impact on travel.

The worst of the thunderstorms are expected to focus over the southern Plains through the middle of the week; however, some storms will eventually reach up into the northern extent of the region.
"Tuesday should be a fairly active once again in Oklahoma and Texas," said AccuWeather.com Southern Weather Expert Frank Strait.
The main difference between Tuesday's storms and the storms that fired on Monday is that they are not expected to reach into eastern Kansas and northern Missouri.
Another round of severe weather will fire on Wednesday, reaching farther north than those on Tuesday.
Similar to the storms on Tuesday, damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes can occur with the strongest storms.
RELATED:
Interactive Radar
AccuWeather MinuteCast® For Your Location
US Summer Forecast
Heavy downpours could turn out to be one of the biggest dangers with these storms as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico surges over the Plains.
Rainfall amounts can easily exceed 1 inch in an hour during heavy downpours, leading to urban and flash flooding.
If you come across a flooded roadway, you should avoid driving though it. The water may be deeper than it appears and could cause your vehicle to get stuck, or in some cases, pull it downstream.

Despite all of the negative impacts that the rain and storms will bring, there will be a few positive impacts.
One of these positives includes helping to ease the ongoing drought in the Plains.

While this week's rain will not end the drought, it should put a noticeable dent in the drought conditions.
Know exactly when the rain will start and stop for your location by using AccuWeather MinuteCast®.
The risk of heavy rain and severe weather will continue over the Central states this weekend.
According to AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Henry Margusity, "It is possible the most significant severe weather outbreak so far in 2015 occurs this weekend."
The potential for damaging storms this weekend includes the possibility of tornadoes.
AccuWeather will have more information on the severe weather threat as the week progresses.