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A powerful storm system is bringing dangerous weather to the central United States this week, with forecasters warning of severe thunderstorms, flooding rains, large hail, and the possibility of tornadoes from the Big Bend region of Texas all the way to the Great Lakes.
The stormy pattern is expected to last through at least midweek, with multiple rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms impacting many of the same areas. Rainfall totals between one and four inches are expected in general, but some locations could see six to eight inches, raising the risk of flash flooding, especially in urban areas and places where rivers are already high from melting snow.
Severe storms are forecast to impact roughly ten states stretching from central Texas to Minnesota and Michigan. Major cities including Dallas, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago are in the risk zone for damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes through Tuesday (April 14). TClusters of severe thunderstorms could develop each afternoon and evening, with the highest risk for tornadoes and large hail in the upper Midwest and southern Plains.
The threat will shift eastward on Wednesday (April 15), stretching from northeastern Texas through southern Michigan and into southwestern Ontario, before the system weakens heading into the weekend. Flood watches have been issued for parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas, with localized flooding possible due to repeated rounds of rain.
Residents in affected areas are urged to monitor local forecasts, have a plan in place for severe weather, and be ready to seek shelter if tornado warnings are issued. The severe weather threat may persist into the latter half of the week across the southern Plains as the storm pattern continues to evolve.