Heavy Rain, Flooding Target Plains and Midwest

Brian Donegan
Published: August 27,2016
Heavy rain and flash flooding will remain a concern for parts of the Plains and Midwest over the next several days as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico continuously surges into the region.
A flash flood emergency was declared in metro Kansas City on Friday evening as two to six inches flooded parts of the city. Flooding caused numerous water rescues around downtown and to the north and east of Kansas City.
Streetcar service was suspended in downtown Kansas City from 9:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday evening.
(The Latest: Water Rescues Reported, Roadways Closed as Flooding Slams Kansas City)
The Gulf of Mexico moisture will be drawn up by southerly winds at the surface. Those surface winds will then interact with disturbances in the southwest wind flow aloft.
(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)

Current Radar, Watches and Warnings

Rainfall Forecast

A broad swath of 1- to 2-inch rain amounts is expected by the middle of next week, from the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma through western and central Kansas, northern Missouri, southern Iowa and into parts of Illinois, Indiana and southern Michigan.

Rainfall Forecast

While it won't be raining at all times over the next several days, showers and thunderstorms will likely pop up each day, especially in the afternoon.
(CITIES: Amarillo | Wichita | Kansas City | St. Louis | Champaign, Illinois | Ft. Wayne, Indiana)
As is typical with thunderstorms this time of year, heavier downpours are possible over a short period of time. This could lead to isolated rain amounts of 3 to 5 inches or more, yielding the risk for flash flooding.
Most of this rain will fall through Sunday, but the threat for showers and thunderstorms will likely continue into the middle of next week.
There is also a possibility of some severe weather with these thunderstorms. Below is our latest forecast thinking on the timing and magnitude of the severe threats late this week.

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MORE: Plains, Midwest Severe Weather and Flooding