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A prolonged period of heavy rainfall will be likely in parts of the South Central states beginning on Memorial Day and continuing through much of next week, heightening the risk of flash flooding.

The rainy pattern will come courtesy of a system high in the atmosphere that will become cut off from the main flow of the jet stream. When this happens, unsettled weather can linger for several days in the same general location.Another reason for the slow movement of this system will be a large area of high pressure located over the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. The high pressure will block the pattern from making much eastward progress.While it will not rain constantly next week, rain can fall at almost any time in the region. Some cities that could endure several rounds of rain include Dallas and Houston, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Little Rock, Arkansas.

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us_climate

The stalled storm will tap into moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, which will add to the intensity of rainfall rates across the region and increase the potential for flash flooding,” said Meteorologist . “Training thunderstorms, or storms that repeat over the same areas and increase the likelihood of flooding, will also be of concern in this type of pattern.”
Anyone traveling across the region will need to slow down and be aware of any flooded roadways.”Motorists are reminded to never attempt to drive through floodwaters, as the water is likely deeper than in appears and the roadway underneath could be compromised,” Duff said.

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Even though severe weather will be a low probability, some stronger storms will be possible. However, the main threat will be the heavy rainfall.Although much of the region has seen adequate rainfall so far this year, this is not the case closer to the Gulf Coast. Therefore, any non-flooding rainfall will be beneficial in parts of South Texas, where severe to extreme drought is ongoing.Besides the lack of rainfall, above-normal temperatures have exacerbated the drought. With the clouds and rain, temperatures will likely be near or below normal, especially on any days where rain falls for most of the day.

 

reference – accuweather

 

 

By JC

Consultation on Climate Change & Risk Management