Severe Thunderstorms May Threaten Labor Day Activities in Central Plains

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

September 7,2015; 11:22PM,EDT

 

 

While Minnesota and Wisconsin dry out, severe thunderstorms will target the central Plains on Labor Day.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde, "A frontal system will provide the opportunity for severe weather to end the extended Labor Day weekend across the central Plains."
Plenty of warm and humid air will be present to help fuel these storms.

Severe Threat for Labor Day Evening

As a warm southerly flow develops and increases dew points to uncomfortable levels, storms will develop across the same frontal boundary that caused showers and thunderstorms across the Upper Midwest on Sunday.
Dew points better illustrate the amount of moisture in the air, which relates to relative humidity. Warm, moist air is crucial for strong thunderstorms to develop.
Heavy and gusty thunderstorms went across eastern Iowa and far northern Missouri early Monday. Another round of severe thunderstorms look to develop from eastern Nebraska to eastern Kansas during the late afternoon.
Damaging winds and torrential downpours will be the main threats with these storms on Labor Day. With areas of flooding across Iowa on Sunday night, any additional rainfall will lead to more flooding problems.
Travel could become dangerous at times across interstates 35 and 80. Drivers should be alert when traveling at high speeds as wet roads could increase the risk of hydroplaning.

The greatest potential for the thunderstorms to trigger damaging winds and hail will exist across the western and southern fringe of the above zone. Flash flooding will be the main threat elsewhere, but localized damaging winds cannot be ruled out.
Those planning on spending Labor Day outdoors whether it's having a barbecue or taking a trip to the apple orchards, should keep an eye to the sky in case a thunderstorm approaches.
Never drive through a flooded roadway. Only a few inches of rushing water could wash away vehicles.
Some of these storms will hit areas in central Iowa that received flooding rainfall on Sunday night.
RELATED:
US Labor Day Forecast
AccuWeather Severe Weather Center
United States Interactive Radar
These storms will lose severity as they cross into northern Missouri and Iowa on Monday night, changing the severe threat into more of a flood threat. Places like Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; and even Kansas City will have these storms.

"The storms that develop across eastern Nebraska and Kansas late in the day Monday will have an abundance of moisture to work with," stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Becky Elliott. "This creates an elevated risk of flooding from the late afternoon through the overnight across much of Iowa."
Anyone traveling across these areas on Labor Day should be alert for dangerous traveling conditions at times and use ​AccuWeather Minutecast® to keep up to date with changing weather conditions across your area.
Further flooding may ensue as the heavy thunderstorms focus on the mid-Mississippi Valley surrounding Iowa, Missouri and Illinois on Tuesday.
In addition, these downpours will "make for a very wet commute on Tuesday morning," said Elliott.
Stay updated with Accuweather.com throughout the day to monitor potential hazards that might affect holiday celebrations.
Story written by AccuWeather Meteorologists Brett Rossio and Brett Rathbun