More than 52 million people are under a severe weather threat across parts of the Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic on Wednesday, the first of several days of storms expected to last through the weekend — setting the stage for potential flash flooding.
The Central and Southern Plains have been hit by multiple rounds of severe weather in recent weeks, but a quieter, drier stretch is on the way, providing a much-needed break for the region.
However, that calm pattern will be short-lived, as another round of active weather is expected to bring additional rain.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, starting next week, dry weather will return to the Central Plains. This is extremely out of the norm for this time of year.
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April is typically one of the most active months for severe weather across the Southern Plains and Southeast, including states like Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.
However, this drought will only last for a few days.
Forecasters say a more active pattern is likely to return by mid-April, increasing the chances for widespread rain and the potential for severe storms over parts of the Central and Southern Plains.
(FOX Weather)
This setup comes as a ridge of high pressure sets up across the East while a trough develops throughout the West, creating perfect conditions for storms to propagate over the Plains.
Multiple rounds of rain are becoming likely from April 11 to 16, impacting numerous cities including Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Little Rock and St. Louis.
(FOX Weather)
While the return of storms could bring a renewed threat for severe weather, the added rainfall may also help improve ongoing drought conditions affecting millions.
The FOX Forecast Center does warn that the timing and intensity of the storms may shift as we get closer to the weather event.
APRIL WEATHER OUTLOOK: SEVERE STORMS TARGET MILLIONS AS SPRING TEMPERATURE WARMUP FINALLY NEARS
Stay with FOX Weather for the latest update on the upcoming storms.
