Nationwide Weather Pattern with Heavy Rain, Severe Thunderstorm Threats Could Extend to Florida This Week [NWS]

A nationwide weather pattern affecting the central and western parts of the United States will see the continuance of showers and thunderstorms, which can cause the threat of heavy rain events, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Based on the latest U.S. weather forecast, the said threat could also extend to Florida this week.

The weather disturbance comes as the meteorological spring is about to end, paving the way for the arrival of the 2023 summer season starting Thursday, June 1.

However, the NWS forecast shows that springtime thunderstorms, with the potential to spawn isolated tornadoes, are still possible in the coming hours and days.

Nationwide Weather Pattern

Widespread scattered rain showers and thunderstorms have continued across large parts of the Central U.S., as well as in the northern Rockies and northern Great Basin, according to the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC).

In its short-range forecast on Wednesday, May 31, the WPC described the weather system as a "blocky weather pattern" that persists across the mainland U.S. as the country end the month of May and is heading into June, which is also the official start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

The pattern traverses across the Western U.S., causing widespread scattered showers and storms in most parts of the central states, the northern Rockies, and the northern Great Basin or Intermountain region. The impact of this system could extend into the Sunshine State and its surrounding regions.

Atlantic Coast System

In other parts of the country, the U.S. weather agency also mentioned of a lingering upper low, accompanied by a stationary front at the surface, will continue to push cooler air from New England to the East Coast and Appalachian region.

Yet, the said low temperatures could be replaced with hot or dry weather conditions. This is possible as intense heat could strike some cities in the Northeast and Midwest for the first time with 90 degrees Fahrenheit later this week, according to Fox Weather, which reported the lack of rain could in the past few weeks also lead to a flash drought.

The NWS also predicted that new record-high temperatures will impact the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions in the coming days.

Flash Drought Risk

As a flash drought could impact the northern and northeastern parts of the U.S., the NWS mentioned that parts of the Chicago metropolitan area have not experienced any substantial rainfall since early April. Under these circumstances, there is a growing concern that a flash drought could occur soon, as cited by NBC Chicago.

The occurrence of this extreme phenomenon could also occur along the East Coast during the summer months, but with low chances. This is because rainfall events would dominate the region during the upcoming season, based on a recent summer outlook in May by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).