Downpours, flooding to pummel the central US this week

faith.eherts

While many across the Midwest have enjoyed a string of warm and dry days, heavy rain inundating the central Plains will soon overspread the region.

The drought-ridden south-central United States received some much-needed rain early this week from a slow-moving storm. Drought-stricken portions of Kansas and Missouri will continue to reap the benefits of additional rainfall through midweek.

"A general 1-3 inches of rain is likely in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, but areas hit repeatedly by torrential downpours may receive as much as 4 or 5 inches of rain," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott.

static central rain 8/14
static central rain 8/14

Very dry ground is slower to absorb water, increasing the chance that any heavy storm produces dangerous flash flooding, however. Creek beds and low-lying streets or those with poor drainage will flood quicker than other areas, and residents should exercise extreme caution around flood-prone areas.

"However, the rainfall will help to ease the drought and give a boost to crops suffering in abnormally dry soil," Elliott said.

On Tuesday, the heaviest rain and storms will focus on areas from central Oklahoma through eastern Kansas and Missouri.

By Wednesday, residents of these locations can expect just a couple of lingering showers and perhaps a rumble of thunder as the area of drenching rainfall shifts to cover Missouri, as well as much of Illinois and Indiana.

static late week 8/14
static late week 8/14

Wet weather is then expected to overspread the whole of the midwestern U.S. for Thursday and Friday, though the threat of new flooding will lessen.

Download the free AccuWeather app for access to local radar the latest updates on flood warnings and advisories.

While the Ohio Valley and Upper Midwest are not experiencing drought conditions for the most part, the rain will help to ward off worsening drought across portions of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

Showers and thunderstorms could impact Major League Baseball games scheduled to take place in St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit this week. Anyone planning to tailgate or attend these games should prepare for wet weather and potential rain delays or postponements.

"The downpours will slow travel on large portions of interstates 35, 40, 44, 55, 70 and 80, and motorists should make sure to reduce speeds on wet roadways to reduce the risk of hydroplaning," Elliott warned.

Flight delays into and out of area airports, including O'Hare and Midway in Chicago, could have ripple effects on air travel throughout the nation.

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