Mother's Day forecast: Severe storms may threaten family gatherings in central US

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

May 7,2016; 9:10PM,EDT

 

 

As millions prepare to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8, rain and severe storms threaten to disrupt outdoor activities and travel plans.
Whether you are hitting the roadway to visit family, attending an outdoor celebration or hosting a party, know exactly when rain or storms will impact your Mother's Day plans with AccuWeather MinuteCast®.
JUMP TO: Rain to spoil outdoor activities in New England| Severe storms to threaten family gatherings across Plains | Showers, storms to soak interior West | Dry weather to highlight Mother's Day across the Deep South, Midwest and West Coast

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Rain to spoil outdoor activities in New England
Wet weather could slow travel and spoil any outdoor Mother's Day plans across New England.
"A cold front will be moving through New England on Sunday, bringing the risk for showers throughout the day," AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said.
The steadiest of the rain is expected to occur during the morning hours across all of New England except for Maine, which will be the steadiest during the afternoon.
People traveling to family gatherings may face a slower-than-normal drive due to the wet weather. Rain jackets and umbrellas will be needed before heading out.
Farther south, sporadic showers and thunderstorms could pop up from the middle Mississippi Valley to the mid-Atlantic, but the whole day will not be a washout.
Severe storms to threaten family gatherings across Plains
Residents of the southern Plains will want to keep an eye to the sky as severe thunderstorms target the region on Mother's Day.
"Some severe thunderstorms will be possible late in the afternoon in areas from central Nebraska down through Oklahoma and west-central Texas," Adamson warned.
Any thunderstorms that erupt will have the potential to produce sudden wind gusts, hail and torrential downpours. The strongest storms could produce a few tornadoes.
People are advised to remain aware of the severe weather threat by checking local weather alerts throughout the day.
Those planning to celebrate the holiday outside should seek shelter indoors at the first rumble of thunder.
Showers, storms to dampen interior West
Wet weather could slow travel to and from holiday celebrations in part of the West.
"A storm system swirling over the Four Corners will ignite widespread showers and thunderstorms across the interior West," Adamson said.
Enough cold air will be in place for snow across the highest elevations, Adamson added.
Showers and heavier downpours could expand into the central and northern Plains throughout the day.
Dry weather to highlight Mother's Day across the Deep South, Upper Midwest and West Coast
Mother's Day celebrations will not be disrupted by the weather across the Deep South, Upper Midwest and West Coast.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water will be needed for any outdoor activities across the southeastern United States as highs could surpass the 90-degree Fahrenheit mark under abundant sunshine.