Isolated Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Expected for Southern Plains This Weekend [NWS]

Isolated thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected for the southern Plains region this coming weekend, according to a new US weather forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS). Localized heavy rain is possible from southern Texas into the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas (ArkLaTex) region starting Friday morning, November 10. Based on similar weather events before, travel disruption and power outages are possible, with flash flooding posing life-threatening risks.

The severe weather forecast of the weather service follows the issuance of a severe winter weather alert for some parts of Alaska, as well as related early-season winter storm alerts, including freezing rain and snow in the Northeast US. Meanwhile, the forecast coincides with the development of a tropical system in the western and central parts of the Caribbean, following the declaration of the official end of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

Isolated Thunderstorm Forecast

Severe weather, including isolated thunderstorms and heavy rain, is looming across the southern Plains; which includes some parts of the states of Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico. This is based on the latest short-range forecast by the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on Friday morning. The isolated thunderstorm forecast is valid until Sunday, November 12.

The major weather hazards of thunderstorms are tornadoes, damaging winds, lightning strikes, and large hail. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), most tornadoes come from supercell thunderstorms with the latter described of having a persistent rotating updraft and emerge in environments with strong vertical wind shear.

US Tornado Threat

In the US, approximately 1,200 tornadoes occur within a year, with the peak tornado season falls between the months of April and June. During this period, tornadoes strike the central US than any other place on Earth, with weather authorities and meteorologists describing it as the "tornado alley," the NOAA says.

Earlier this year, multiple people have died from severe storms in different parts of the country, including the eastern US where at least two people died after being struck by lightning and a falling tree in August. Thousands of homes and businesses were also left without power due to the powerful thunderstorms.

South US Storm

In a related forecast, AccuWeather meteorologists on Friday stated that a month's worth of rain is possible to fall in Texas and Louisiana, as a gathering storm with heavy rain will drench the South US later this week.

As mentioned in the NWS forecast, the ArkLaTex region will be affected by a widespread thunderstorm and downpours that could affect several states through Saturday, November 11. The weather experts specify that the most affected areas by the looming rainfall are from southern and eastern Texas to parts of Louisiana, which is currently suffering from severe drought conditions.

During the said period, flash flooding risks are likely in low-lying areas both in rural and urban areas. Road traffic movement and public transport may also be disrupted by the southern US storm system.