The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood watch for seven states on Monday as severe storms moved through the U.S.
The storms are expected to bring a severe weather risk to several states throughout the Southern Plains and into the Ohio Valley on Monday and Tuesday. A flood watch has been issued for Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and small areas of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“Severe weather is expected today from the southern Plains into the Ohio Valley,” the NWS Storm Prediction Center posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. “Severe weather risk will extend into tomorrow for parts of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Large to very-large hail, tornadoes, and damaging winds will all be possible. Stay weather aware.”
Severe weather is expected today from the southern Plains into the Ohio Valley. Severe weather risk will extend into tomorrow for parts of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Large to very-large hail, tornadoes, and damaging winds will all be possible. Stay weather aware. pic.twitter.com/qqkeu05Wrh
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) April 1, 2024
The Storm Prediction Center said that the areas at the highest risk for severe thunderstorms extend from north Texas through Oklahoma, part of Kansas, northwestern Arkansas, central and southern Missouri and southern Illinois and Indiana.
“All forms of severe weather will be possible, including very large (2+ inch) hail, tornadoes (including a few strong tornadoes), and damaging thunderstorm winds,” the NWS Storm Prediction Center’s message said. “The potential for tornadoes may continue into the overnight hours.”
Several inches of rain were possible throughout the states that had implemented a flood watch.
“Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through Tuesday evening. Each will have the potential to produce heavy rain, with a cumulative effect evolving to create increasing potential for excessive runoff with each successive round,” the NWS office in Pittsburgh said in the flood watch.
“Total rainfall estimates through Tuesday evening will likely reach 2 to 3 inches across the Watch area, with locally higher amounts up to 4 inches possible,” the office added. warned that the excessive rainfall could contribute to flash flooding.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the office said. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”
NWS meteorologist David Shallenberger told Newsweek that rainfall in Pittsburgh averages 3.32 inches in April, meaning that the city could exceed its monthly average rainfall over the next two days. However, he said the excessive rain isn’t uncommon for this time of year. In March, Pittsburgh’s rainfall was average.
In addition to rain, Shallenberger said there is a threat for tornadoes, hail and wind, although those threats will primarily affect Ohio on Tuesday in the afternoon and evening. The heaviest rain will fall in Ohio from Monday night through Tuesday and could exceed 4 inches.
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