Central U.S. Will Go From Drought to Drenching Rain in Days Ahead

It has been an unsettled week of weather across the central portions of the U.S. Forecasters are now warning that this part of the country may face flooding concerns after dealing with pervasive drought conditions over the last few months. Here is a look at this significant shift in the weather pattern for the nation's heartland.

Change in the Weather in Store for the Central U.S.

The central U.S. has been grappling with persistently dry conditions since the summer months. The weather is going to shift dramatically as an influx of moisture slams the region in the days ahead. This wet weather pattern will last several days, hopefully helping to chip away at the drought.

The wet weather pattern fired up earlier in the week for some parts of the Intermountain West. This storm system brought rain to the lower elevations and snow to the higher terrains to start the new work week. The same weather maker is forecast to continue its track to the east on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the chance of thunderstorms for the Plains and into the Mississippi valley.

These storms could produce severe weather impacts for areas of northeastern Oklahoma, central and eastern Kansas and into western Missouri and down into northwestern Arkansas on Wednesday and into the overnight hours. The storms are associated with an incoming cold front. It is possible that some of these storm cells could produce tornadic activity due to the warm air ahead of the front.

Forecasters have adjusted their outlook for Wednesday afternoon and evening, now warning of the threat of powerful storms popping up along parts of interstates 35, 40, and 80 in the Plains states. These storm cells could generate large hail, high winds, and torrential rain.

Some of the tornadoes may happen after the sun goes down, elevating the danger as the funnels are harder to spot under the cover of darkness. The highest risk of nocturnal tornadoes will be in central Kansas. This is a good reminder to keep your cellphone on and fully charged before going to bed so that you can receive weather alerts.

Des Moines will also be in the bullseye of this storm development on Wednesday. The city in central Iowa is forecast to start the day on a dry note with thunderstorms expected to erupt in the afternoon hours. An inch of rain could fall during the day with another inch of rain in the forecast for the overnight hours. These storms could usher in gusty winds and small hail with winds hitting speeds of 15 to 25 mph. Temperatures will remain on the warm side on Wednesday with highs hovering in the mid 70s. Enjoy the warmth now as the mercury will drop into the low 50s for highs on Thursday in Des Moines.

In addition, the high winds coming in with the front will temporarily raise the threat of wildfires as a result of the parched landscape. Places such as Amarillo, Texas will see winds out of the west-southwest at 25 to 35 mph with gusts topping the 40 mph mark. The winds will begin to ease on Thursday but it will still be a breezy Halloween.

Thursday's Risks Expand

It is setting up to be a spooky and stormy Halloween for millions of Americans as the line of storms grows in size early Thursday. Like Wednesday's weather pattern, the primary impacts will be sudden downpours, hail, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes. The morning hours are the most likely time period to see tornadic activity.

Cities in the line of fire of Thursday's storms include St. Louis, Little Rock, and Dallas. The storm action will continue to push to the east throughout the day, eventually reaching the Ohio, Tennessee, and lower Mississippi valleys later in the day.