Round of heavy storms to target south-central US into Tuesday
Following locally severe storms in portions of Texas and New Mexico on Sunday, more storms will affect areas farther to the east from Texas to Louisiana into Tuesday.
Although a few incidents of damaging winds and hail occurred in the Southwest on Sunday, the rainfall proved largely beneficial for fire personnel battling the Ute Park Fire in northeastern New Mexico. They were able to bring the fire's containment status to 23 percent as of Sunday evening.
"Most of the storms will extend toward the upper Gulf of Mexico coast on Tuesday," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Frank Strait.
Localized torrential downpours will be the primary threats into Tuesday. However, some incidents of strong wind gusts, hail and frequent lightning strikes are also likely.
"A small area of disturbed weather underneath a large ridge of high pressure building into the Southwest, eastern Rockies and western Plains will bring strong storms to some of the drought areas in Oklahoma and Texas," said AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.
While hail poses a threat to crops and farmland in the area, any rainfall will be welcome across western portions of Oklahoma and Texas, still stuck in extreme to exceptional drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.
Parched soil and dry vegetation, which make it easier for wildfire formation and spread, would receive a much-needed dousing from any rain that falls.
Although some locations may receive an inch of rain in a short amount of time, others may see nothing at all, since "rain coverage will vary from location to location," according to Pastelok.
People should move indoors as soon as thunder is heard. It is at this moment that lightning is close enough to strike.
Motorists should be prepared for rapidly changing roadway conditions and reduce speeds in heavier downpours. The risk for hydroplaning increases on wet roadways when traveling at highway speeds.
Beginning on Tuesday and continuing through the end of the week, a heat wave will build across the southern Plains as another stretch of dry and hot conditions takes hold.
