The forecast details a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system over southern Texas, which is expected to interact with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. This interaction will likely lead to severe weather conditions across the Arklatex region, including heavy rain, hail, high winds, and the potential for tornadoes through tonight. As the system progresses northeastward, it is anticipated to bring significant rainfall and high winds to much of the eastern U.S. by Thursday, with severe weather threats extending into the Southeast and upper Ohio Valley.
The central to eastern Gulf coast region is expected to experience the heaviest rainfall today through Thursday morning, with another heavy rain axis extending from the Arklatex region to the Midwest as the low-pressure system expands and intensifies. By Thursday night into Friday morning, the system will bring high winds to the eastern U.S., Great Lakes, Midwest, and Ohio Valley. Thunderstorms should diminish as the cold front moves off the Southeast coast by Friday morning, but moderate to heavy rain and high winds are expected to persist across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Meanwhile, relatively calm weather is forecasted for the western U.S., with stable upper ridging building in. Scattered rain and snow showers are expected across the northern Rockies and northern High Plains, extending into the northern Plains as a clipper system passes through. Light precipitation may reach the Pacific Northwest by Thursday night with the arrival of the next Pacific system. Additionally, improvements in fire weather conditions are anticipated across the southern High Plains, with elevated fire danger confined to the Texas Big Bend today, followed by portions of the central Plains on Thursday.