Severe storms, flooding risk to ramp up in the Plains, Ohio Valley

AccuWeather meteorologists warn that the collision of warm and cold air with large amounts of moisture pouring in from the Gulf will set the stage for an active storm pattern in early March from parts of the Plains to the Ohio Valley. Several storms will bring alternating periods of heavy rain and thundershowers next week. There could even be a risk of severe weather and flooding for multiple days from Texas to Ohio.

Late next week, the jet stream will drop significantly southward over the western United States, bringing cooler air into the region, while the east will experience a northward swell, causing temperatures to rise sharply across the region.

“This setup will help attract the northward influx of moisture from the Gulf ahead of the storm,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. “The influx of moisture, combined with the northward swell of the Eastern Jet Stream, could result in days of persistent rain and thunderstorms over the Plains and along the Mississippi and Ohio river basins.”

The extent and exact severity of daily storms during this period will depend on the timing and intensity of each storm. Regardless, individuals in this corridor should be prepared and have multiple ways to receive warnings related to flooding and severe thunderstorms.

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The risk for severe weather will begin Wednesday, with AccuWeather meteorologists have issued “some” risk from northeast Texas to eastern Kansas and western Missouri. Cities such as Dallas; Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Missouri need to remain vigilant as any thunderstorms could be severe.

Any thunderstorms that occur can cause large hail, damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour, and even isolated tornadoes. AccuWeather Local StormMax™ has a speed of 80 mph.

In addition to the severe risk, there is an increased risk of flooding in early to mid-March. While early rounds of rain will be largely beneficial as drought persists in the region, the risk of flooding will increase as storms persist for much of next week.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski added: “Significant rises in secondary river levels are possible across the area.”

Further upstream, this pattern will also bring some recovery to the central, western and northeastern regions. Coupled with the potential for any rounds of rain to move northward, the risk of ice jams and river flooding could also increase next week.

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