More heavy rainfall for the Midwest, severe weather returns to the Central Plains
Summary
The perfect storm of weather ingredients will result in rounds of heavy rain and strong thunderstorms from the central Plains to portions of the Midwest through this weekend and into next week.
Key Highlights
Threats: Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, all severe hazards are possible
States affected: KS, MO, NE, IA, IL, IN, TX, OK, AR, LA
When: Friday, May 14 - Tuesday, May 18
Too much of a good thing
While most of the country is experiencing some level of drought, this weekend’s rainfall forecast covers a mainly drought-free area.
There is potential for flash flooding, especially where heavier rainfall moves repeatedly over the same areas. Motorists traveling through this region may encounter sudden downpours, which can lower visibility to less than a few hundred feet at times. Some locations could end up with 5 inches or more of rainfall over the three-day period, with an AccuWeather Local StormMaxTM of 8”. The strongest storms may produce locally damaging wind gusts, especially over the southern half of Kansas and Missouri.
Severe weather makes a return
By early next week, a strong storm system is expected to initiate thunderstorms across the southern Plains. There is the potential for severe weather, especially later Monday and again on Tuesday. There remains high uncertainty on the exact timing and intensity of this storm. We anticipate additional adjustments to our forecast map over the next few days as more data becomes available.
These storms will pose a significant threat to life and property, as well as the potential for prolonged business disruption. Make sure your organization is fully prepared for severe weather by incorporating site-specific alerts into your emergency procedures.
Protect your employees and assets by signing up for a SkyGuard® demo before the storm.
- The combination of flooded roadways and reduced visibility may lead to ground travel disruptions across this region, especially along portions of I-70, I-44 and I-35
- Protect your company against liability by ensuring all employees are trained in safe driving techniques and know what actions to take during severe weather
- Review where assets are located in relation to flood zones and make necessary updates to your emergency procedures
- Loss of Inventory due to flooding – If your warehouse is in a low-lying area, precautions should be taken to relocate or protect assets