Severe Weather Threat Looms Over the Eastern United States

New York City is bracing for torrential rains, with predictions of more than two inches of rain by Tuesday. Such a quick outpouring has the makings for flash flooding. As of July 11, the National Weather Service (NWS) had issued warnings for flash flooding throughout the city and in neighboring counties. This weather system could be connected to a larger trend of more severe storms. These storms have brought abnormal cold and snow to parts of the country, from the Desert Southwest to the Eastern Seaboard.

In their forecast, meteorologists noted two separate storm systems that could contribute to excessive rainfall and widespread severe weather. As this pattern evolves, eastern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana are on alert for intense rain and severe thunderstorms. All this moisture flowing in from the Gulf and these slow, back-their-motion type of storms can really help intensify high flood impacts over a multi-state area.

Flash Flooding and Severe Weather Alerts

The National Weather Service said it continues to monitor the situation. New Orleans, specifically, is under a “high” threat of flash flooding on Tuesday. Severe winds, hail, tornadoes and flash flooding are all threats in the area this time of year.

“The main threats will be damaging winds and large hail,” – The weather service office in Pittsburgh.

As storms move across the Midwest, they may bring moderate to heavy rainfall to states from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast. In Midland, Texas, residents have been feeling the effects of a rainy year, with only 0.66 inches recorded this year so far. Pounding rain from the tropical storm just behind could flood parts of that same area.

The forecast calls for ping pong ball-sized hail for a corridor that includes much of West Texas and far eastern New Mexico. There is additional risk for isolated tornadoes late Monday. When these storms move through, travelers on interstates 10 and 20 will experience horrible delays if the storms produce severe weather.

Impacts Across Multiple States

From New York City to New Orleans, other states will be on the frontline battling intensifying severe weather. Houston is under a risk for severe thunderstorms, and strong wind gusts up to 30 mph are likely. AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham pointed out one particularly slow-moving storm on the radar. It has potential to produce extreme thunderstorms and excessive rainfall later this week.

“A slow-moving storm over the Central United States this week will act as the catalyst for a risk of severe thunderstorms and flooding rainfall,” – Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist.