AccuWeather meteorologists warn that rounds of downpours and thunderstorms will continue to threaten communities in the central United States with flooding and severe weather into the first week of July. As weather disturbances move from west to east along the northern edge of a high-pressure dome over the southern US, severe thunderstorms are expected to erupt, bringing damaging wind gusts, hail, and potential tornadoes from the lower Missouri Valley to the Red River Valley.
The central US, particularly the North-Central states, will experience these severe storms starting Monday. The region, already reeling from significant river flooding over the past weeks, will face more drenching downpours, exacerbating the flooding situation. Rivers in northeastern Nebraska, northern and western Iowa, southeastern South Dakota, and southern Minnesota have reached major to record-high flood levels, and another 2-4 inches of rain is expected from Monday to Tuesday, potentially causing new rises in river levels.
The torrential rains from early June have caused a surge of water downstream into larger river systems, including the lower Missouri and middle Mississippi Rivers. Even areas that have missed recent heavy rains could see water level rises as the surge moves through. The National Weather Service has already adjusted forecasted river levels higher compared to last week’s predictions, indicating worsening conditions.
The Mississippi River, particularly at points along Iowa and Illinois, is projected to reach major flood stages during the first week of July. It may take several weeks for water levels to drop below flood stages in some of the largest rivers in the region, including the middle Mississippi. This ongoing situation highlights the urgent need for preparedness and monitoring as severe weather continues to impact the central US.
