The FOX Prediction Center is tracking a major storm that’s sweeping across 40 states, bringing severe weather to the central U.S. along with heavy rainfall for the Northeast this weekend and into the early part of next week.
This storm has already caused record rainfall in California and substantial snowfall in the Sierra Mountains earlier this week. Now, it’s making its way eastward through the Rockies.
The Midwest should expect heavy rain by Friday, but regions like the Ozark Mountains and the Mississippi Valley will face the precipitation and potential severe weather first, before it reaches the Northeast by Sunday.
Severe storms threaten central U.S. over the weekend, potentially producing tornadoes and large hail
The cold front that triggered this intense storm hit the Dakotas with heavy rain Thursday morning. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center has rated the severe thunderstorm risk at 1 out of 5 for parts of Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas through Thursday, highlighting the threats of hail and strong winds.
The risk of severe weather is set to increase on Friday, starting with scattered thunderstorms across Oklahoma and northwestern Missouri in the morning. Later, by Friday afternoon and evening, the Ark-La-Tex region, Ozark Mountains, and Mississippi Valley could see more significant threats.
Tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail are on the table, but their strength will largely depend on how much heating occurs during the day.
If it’s warmer in the afternoon, it’ll likely ramp up the storm intensity into the evening.
A broad area from Texas to Ohio will be under the threat of severe weather on Saturday.
Heavy rain is expected to continue immediately after the nor’easter in the Northeast
By Sunday afternoon, the cold front is projected to move into the Ohio Valley and the interior Northeast, with moderate rain expected for places like Buffalo, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wrapping up the weekend.
Low-grade flash flooding risks will be present in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio on Sunday.
The rain is expected to intensify Sunday night, hitting the busy I-95 corridor just in time for Monday’s commute.
This heavy rainfall is likely to persist into early Tuesday, with widespread totals between 1 to 2 inches for the Northeast and northern New England, and localized areas could see up to 3 inches.
Additionally, while the primary low pressure system driving this wet weather will begin moving over Canada on Tuesday, forecasts suggest another low pressure system might form, potentially keeping parts of New England damp into the middle of the week.
