…Unsettled weather extends from the Southwest to the central U.S. over
the next few days, with chances for scattered flash flooding and severe
thunderstorms…
…Lingering heavy rain potential exists across the eastern Carolinas this
weekend…
…Above average temperatures continue across the West today before
confining to the southern Plains and Gulf Coast by early next week…
The upper level pattern and anomalous atmospheric moisture content in
place across the Southwest and Plains will remain conducive for more
active weather through this weekend. Starting with the Southwest, Four
Corners, and southern/central Rockies, the main threat associated with
developing thunderstorms will be related to intense rainfall rates and
flash flooding. Uncertainty remains on where exactly the heaviest rainfall
will occur, but sensitive terrain and burn scars are most likely to see
impacts. This flash flooding threat also extends westward to the southern
California ranges through Sunday, where slow-moving thunderstorms over
complex terrain could lead to isolated flash flooding concerns. Shifting
to the central and southern Plains, convection is expected to become more
organized as a lingering frontal boundary provides a focus for heavy
rainfall potential from Oklahoma to southern Missouri. After an initial
round of storms over central Oklahoma tonight, another round of possibly
slow-moving convection is expected Sunday night from southeast KS and
northeast OK to the western Ozarks. Several inches of rainfall are
possible within a short period of time, which could lead to scattered
instances of flash flooding. Scattered thunderstorms are also forecast to
extend throughout much of the central and northern Plains, but quick
forward motions and lesser coverage should keep the flash flooding threat
localized. In addition to heavy rainfall, these storms could contain
isolated hail and damaging wind gusts.
After recently getting doused by T.S. Debby with several days of tropical
downpours, the eastern Carolinas may see additional bouts of heavy
rainfall over the next few days as sufficient atmospheric moisture content
remain in place along a stalled frontal boundary. This stationary front
combined with diurnal sea breeze activity could spark numerous slow-moving
thunderstorms capable of containing intense rainfall rates. Given most
soils remain overly saturated across the Carolinas, the flash flooding
threat will remain slightly elevated. Residents and visitors are advised
to have multiple ways of receiving warnings and never drive through
flooded roadways.
Temperatures throughout the Lower 48 into the beginning of next week will
feature widespread below average highs from the Plains to the Northeast
underneath broad high pressure, with forecast high temperatures in the 70s
and low 80s. Summer heat will remain confined to the Southern Tier,
including the Southwest today before a cooling trend commences. Meanwhile,
oppressive heat and humidity will continue and rebuild across the southern
Plains and Gulf Coast by Sunday and Monday as highs soar into the upper
90s and triple digits. This equates to around 10 degrees above the
climatological mean for mid-August, but forecast highs at the moment don’t
appear to threaten any daily records.
Elsewhere, continued dry conditions and ongoing wildfires will continue to
produce elevated fire weather conditions and poor air quality across parts
of the Northwest and northern Great Basin. Little changes in the overall
weather pattern should maintain this environment.
Snell
Graphics available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php
