Flood threat to intensify as severe storms pound central US this weekend

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

May 27,2016; 8:40PM,EDT

 

Severe weather, including the risk of flash flooding and a few tornadoes, will continue into Memorial Day weekend.
The combination of warm and humid air in place, combined with storm systems moving out from the Rockies, will create an environment favorable for thunderstorms, severe weather and torrential rainfall.
"Flash flooding will be a major concern in locations that have already received heavy rainfall from thunderstorms earlier this week," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.

Some areas from Houston to Austin and College Station, Texas, received more than a foot of rain on Thursday. Part of this region has been hit with flooding rainfall on multiple occasions this spring.
Any location from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa, where individual storms repeat or merge into a large storm complex will be at risk for flooding this weekend.
The overall intensity of the thunderstorms and rainfall will diminish from Saturday to Sunday.
Into Friday night, the greatest risk of a damaging thunderstorm will extend from central and coastal Texas to central and eastern Kansas.
AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions Lead Meteorologist Phil Warren is concerned that storms will produce large hail and damaging wind gusts to 70 mph as well as some isolated tornadoes.
"The risk of tornadoes will be present with some of the strongest storms," Warren explained.
Large hail will pose a hazard to cars, windows, crops and livestock.
People should stay alert to weather bulletins and seek shelter indoors, preferably in an interior room, below ground or in a storm shelter.
Some of the storms will continue well after dark and will add to the danger.
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When will the central US get a break from severe weather?
The threat for daily showers and thunderstorms, some turning severe, will continue right through Memorial Day weekend.
On Saturday, the potential for severe thunderstorms on a more localized level will extend from central and coastal Texas to the middle part of the Mississippi Valley.
Rounds of severe weather are likely to continue over the Plains states through much of next week.
Content contributed by AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.