Flood risks, strong winds, and tornado threat top concerns for Wednesday

FLOOD WATCH: McDowell & Wyoming Counties until 11AM Thursday, May 9th. Days worth of scattered heavy rain has saturated the grounds with another 2-3 inches expected over the next 36 hours. Flash flooding, runoff issues, and swollen creeks and river flooding is possible. Monitor local conditions during and after periods of heavy rain. In some cases, flooding can occur 6 hours after the rain has ended.

Wednesday starts with a few t-storms and showers along a cold front that is moving slowly through the region. A few breaks mid-morning allow for some sunshine to filter in-between the clouds. Into the afternoon daytime heating and our cold front trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms for the late afternoon and evening. A storm or two could be on the stronger side with damaging winds and very heavy rains. Highs sitting near 80 degrees provides even more energy to the atmosphere than Tuesday.

All modes of severe weather are again on the table with damaging winds, hail, lightning, and flooding rains becoming more likely. Tornado risks are low but not zero so having a severe weather plan in place will be the smart move. The bulk of our severe weather threat with widespread storms moves in for the early evening and overnight hours. 5pm to midnight, thunderstorms can pack a punch.

Heavy rain will likely cause flooding issues as our ground is already saturated. Soft grounds and strong winds with t-storms can lead to power outages and downed trees. With our cold front taking it’s sweet time to push out, showers and thunderstorms continue right into Thursday morning.

Thursday showers and a rumble or two can be expected for our morning then a general gloominess to the day throughout with passing showers and heavy rain. Temps are cooler but warm up into the 70s which is enough for a few afternoon thunderstorms once again.

Our severe weather threats are lower than Wednesday but a storm or two could pack a punch with 40-60mph winds, small hail, and flash flooding threats. Showers and storms will fade quite a bit into the overnight. Some dense fog in the higher elevations and sheltered valleys is a safe bet pre-dawn Friday.

Friday will feature more breaks from the rain but scattered shower chances remain. The extra time between showers will be beneficial to our flood risks, but any shower can cause pooling on the road ways. Cooler air continues to push in from the west keeping temps below average for the first time in several weeks. Highs only manage the low 60s with some in the higher elevations stuck in the 50s.

Saturday mostly cloudy skies and cooler air from the northwest keep us chilly for May. Highs struggle into the low to mid 60s for the afternoon. A few showers advance mid-day through the overnight in a hit or miss fashion thanks to an upper level system moving south. Luckily high pressure isn’t far behind so we’ll dry out late into the night.

Mother’s Day, Sunday high pressure is here to save the day as we enjoy a calmer, drier day. Northwest winds keep temps cool in the low 60s and a light breeze will make it feel chillier at times. Sunshine will filter through broken clouds most of the day which will be nice for brunch and a light jacket is all that’ll be needed to take mom out for dinner.

Monday high pressure begins to shift towards the east for a split day. Cooler towards the mountain with highs in the mid to upper 60s and low 70s with sunshine farther west. Our next system is gearing up to move in late in the day so clouds will increase for all. We are looking dry for the evening hours under cloudy skies with showers returning pre-dawn Tuesday morning.

Tuesday is looking soggy with widespread showers moving in from the southwest. The nice break in rain over the weekend should have helped enough regarding a flood threat. Wet roads and runoff issues are possible. An isolated thunderstorm is possible towards the evening hours as highs push back into the mid and upper 70s.

In your extended forecast our set up still allows for warm days and moisture to flow in from the southern states. Showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast with some breaks between days of rain which should help keep flood concerns low.

WEDNESDAY
Sct. T-storms / some breaks / strong storms Late. Highs near 80.
THURSDAY
Morning rain then sct. showers PM. Highs in the low 70s.
FRIDAY
Sct. Showers, some dry time. Highs in the 60s.
SATURDAY
Drier overall, iso. shower PM. Highs in the low 60s.
SUNDAY
Sun & Clouds, cooler. Highs in the low – mid 60s.
MONDAY
Heavy rain all day. Highs in the low 70s.
TUESDAY
Widespread showers. Highs in the 70s.
WEDNESDAY
AM showers then slow clearing. Highs in the 70s.
THURSDAY
Sunshine returns…finally. Highs in the mid 70s.
FRIDAY
Sun & Clouds. PM Showers. Highs in the 70s

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