SEVERE STORMS WITH FLASH FLOODING RAINS

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Severe Weather Discussion

Gusty thunderstorms are expected once again across the Mid-Atlantic states today. While widespread severe weather is not anticipated everywhere, some of the stronger storms may produce wind gusts over 35 mph, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall. Brief flooding may occur in poor-drainage and urban areas where the heaviest downpours develop.

Farther west, a more organized severe weather threat will extend from the mid-Mississippi Valley back into the High Plains. Thunderstorms developing in this corridor will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and a few tornadoes. Locally torrential rainfall will also accompany the strongest storms.

Heavy rainfall will be a major concern from the mid-Mississippi Valley through the Ohio Valley today. Repeated rounds of thunderstorms may produce several inches of rain, and localized totals of four to five inches could occur where storms repeatedly track over the same areas. This may result in significant flash flooding, rapid rises on creeks and streams, and dangerous travel conditions.

By tomorrow, the axis of heaviest rainfall is expected to sink southward into the Tennessee Valley. Additional rounds of thunderstorms may produce more flooding problems, especially in areas that receive repeated heavy downpours.

Overall, damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes will be the primary severe weather threats from the High Plains into the Mississippi Valley, while heavy rainfall and flash flooding may become the more widespread concern from the Mississippi Valley through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys.