By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist
May 18,2016; 10:00PM,EDT
Widespread areas of rain and thunderstorms will increase the risk for flooding across Texas and Louisiana through Thursday.
On Wednesday, the severe threat will stretch across the western portion of Texas.
"The main concern for drivers will be flooded roads," AccuWeather Meteorologist Michael Doll said.
Aside from the risk of flooding, some of the strongest storms could become severe.
Locations from El Paso to Del Rio, Texas, will be at risk for severe thunderstorms into Wednesday night. Hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall will be the primary threats, but the strongest storm could produce a tornado.
Travel could become dangerous at times across interstates 10 and 20 during Wednesday afternoon and evening.
RELATED:
Preparing for nature's wildest chase: How extreme meteorologists gear up for a tornado outbreak
Check AccuWeather MinuteCast® for your location
The difference between tornado watches and warnings
By Thursday, the risk for severe storms and flooding will shift eastward into central and eastern Texas. By Friday morning, storms will move into the lower Mississippi Valley.
This includes the cities of San Antonio; Dallas; Houston; and Shreveport and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Those with outdoor plans should keep an eye to the sky and seek shelter when a storm approaches. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to get struck by lightning.
"Lightning, low cloud ceilings and reduced visibility will create delays at airports," Doll said.
Most locations from central Texas to central Louisiana have received around 150 percent of their normal rainfall to date so far this year. By the end of the day Thursday, another 1 to 3 inches of rain could fall, with locally higher amounts.
"There will be an overabundance of moisture for thunderstorms to produce rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour," Doll said.
Relief will be in store as much of the region will enjoy dry and warmer weather by this weekend.
Storms have battered the region since early this week.
The strongest storms focused on the southern half of Texas during Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night. Heavy rain in and around San Antonio led to multiple reports of flooded roads, including portions of Interstate 35.
The storm system responsible for heavy rain into Thursday over the region will shift to the Eastern states during Friday and Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment