Severe storms and torrential rain with flooding are expected for areas in the southern, central, and eastern regions of the United States, according to the latest weather forecast of the National Weather Service (NWS).
This comes as a large, slow-moving storm system is spotted over the said trajectory.
The system will reportedly bring severe storms accompanied by potential tornadoes across Texas first and then to the Ark-La-Tex region.
Heavy rain with flooding is also expected from the south-central Plains into the Lower Mississippi Valley.
The renewed storm system comes weeks and months after related severe weather events have battered the Central US region and its surrounding areas.
These events were marked by the occurrence of a tornado outbreak, as well as the downpour of large hail and heavy rain showers.
General US Weather Forecast
The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) of the NWS is monitoring the developing storm system, which can bring thunderstorms and heavy rain with the risk of flooding, moving from the Central US to the Eastern US.
Due to the looming threat, it issued its latest severe storm weather forecast on Tuesday, May 24.
The severe storm weather alert will be valid from Wednesday to Friday, May 25 to May 27.
The weather advisory contains the following general weather forecast for the US:
- Severe storm forecast
- Fire weather forecast
- Cold weather forecast
During this period, the NWS WPC highlights the storm system is not the only weather hazard affecting the country.
Instead, extreme heat will also expand in the Western US, increasing the risk of fire weather conditions for some portions of the Southwest US.
Meanwhile, cold weather continues to blanket the Mid-Atlantic region following record-breaking high temperatures last week.
Low-Pressure System
The WPC projects the storm system or low-pressure system over the Southern Plains will move northward into the Mississippi Valley as part of the short-range weather forecast.
A large mass of air will spread over the valley and areas in the east.
A warm front and a cold front will be trailing behind the system which can promote the production of showers and thunderstorms, the US weather agency explains.
The following states in the Mississippi Valley can be affected by the severe weather:
- Arkansas
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
- South Dakota.
In line with this forecast, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) of the NWS says severe thunderstorms are still possible from west-central Texas into the Gulf Coast and Ark-La-Tex region until Tuesday night.
Severe wind gusts are likely the highest threat in the said regions.
Meanwhile, large hail is possible in areas leading up to the Rio Grande Valley, the SPC says.
New Mexico Fire Weather
The SPC also underscores the dangers brought by critical fire weather conditions such as soil moisture, extreme heat, air humidity, and wind patterns as fuels for the growth and spread of wildfire in New Mexico, Texas, and other areas in the Western US.
In New Mexico, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) report said that the state has suffered the continuance of blazes from major wildfires for almost two months already, burning a total of more than half a million acres.
These wildfires include the Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak Fire and Black fire.
Widespread evacuation and disruption have been reported throughout the period.
Due to the provided details of the fire weather threats by the SPC, the mentioned wildfires are possible to increase in coverage and intensity in the coming days.
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