Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding pose dual threats across the central High Plains into southern Missouri this evening through Saturday night. Meanwhile, temperatures will soar above average in the West and Southeast, but cooler conditions are anticipated from the central Plains into parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast through Monday.
In the central U.S., significant risks for severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are anticipated tonight into early Sunday morning. Abundant moisture, coupled with a cold front, sets the stage for intense thunderstorm activity over eastern Colorado and southern Missouri. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted an Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms and the Weather Prediction Center has issued a Moderate Risk for flash flooding. Multiple rounds of storms could result in several inches of rainfall by Sunday morning.
As the cold front progresses south and east on Sunday, cooler temperatures will follow across the central U.S., with Monday’s highs expected to be around 20 degrees cooler than today’s. The Great Lakes region will also experience below-average temperatures due to reinforcing cold fronts and accompanying showers and thunderstorms.
In contrast, the western and southeastern U.S. will see warmer-than-average temperatures through Monday, although relief from recent excessive heat is on the horizon. A cold front moving through the West will bring cooler temperatures and increased shower and thunderstorm activity. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Marginal Risk of severe thunderstorms for portions of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming on Sunday ahead of an approaching upper-level trough.