Weekend Weather Preview

The focus of active weather will be found in the nation’s midsection this weekend, though some parts of both coasts could be at risk for rain and thunderstorms. Unseasonably warm weather will also coincide with the start of meteorological summer. 

Saturday

Multiple weather systems and associated cold fronts will be moving through the Central U.S. to start the weekend. This will translate to chances for rain showers and thunderstorms along the Rocky Mountain Front Range, most of the Plains and Mississippi Valley, Deep South, Midwest and Great Lakes. The best chance for storms will occur in the afternoon and evening for all locations.

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible from the Front Range into the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley. The main threats will be severe winds and large hail. However, a few brief tornadoes cannot be ruled out. 

In addition to the risk of severe weather, there will be the concern for slow-moving, repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rain, mainly for the southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley and Midwest. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts possible. 

This will likely trigger flooding in places, especially in low-lying, urban, and other more flood prone areas. Remember, if you approach a flooded roadway, it is always best to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”

Another cold front will be inching east closer toward the Northwest on Saturday. Rain will become increasingly likely throughout western Washington, while some showers could also spread to the rest of Washington State. 

An onshore flow will be present over southern Florida. This could create a few showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon and evening.

Otherwise, high pressure will control the rest of the West and East coasts. Expect dry, quiet weather as a result.

Temperatures generally stay near to above normal throughout the U.S. The exception will be the areas that see heavier rainfall, where temperatures could end up below average.

Highs will only reach the 40s and 50s across the highest elevations of the Mountain West. Expect 60s and 70s for most of the northern half of the U.S., while 70s and 80s will be common in the southern half. Though, 90s and a few 100s are in the forecast for California’s Central Valley into the Desert Southwest, the southern Plains and Florida. 

Sunday

Several weather systems and cold fronts remain over the nation’s midsection on Sunday, while a cold front also advances east into parts of the Eastern Seaboard. Like Saturday, rain and thunderstorms will soak the Rocky Mountain Front Range, Plains, Mississippi Valley, Deep South, and Midwest. There will also be a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and southern portions of the Northeast.

Severe weather will once again be likely for the end of the weekend. The main concern for severe weather will be found in the north-central U.S. Damaging winds, large hail, and perhaps a few tornadoes will all be on the weather menu.

Repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rain will be possible again throughout the Central U.S. The greatest concern will be found in the Upper Mississippi Valley and Deep South, where 1 to 3 inches will likely fall. Localized flooding remains possible, especially in the more flood prone areas.

Saturday’s cold front in the Pacific will move onshore on Sunday. Moderate to heavy rain will fall in western Washington and Oregon. Be on the lookout for some areas of flooding here as 1 to 3 inches of rain is in the forecast. The rest of the Northwest will see occasional showers throughout the day. Some wet snow or a rain/snow mix could also fall on the tallest peaks of the Cascades. 

Several areas should stay dry for the second half of the weekend thanks to high pressure overhead. This includes California into the Southwest as well as the Great Lakes, interior Northeast and Southeast.

Temperatures will remain fairly similar to those on Saturday. The Pacific Northwest and the highest elevations of the Mountain West will report high temperatures in 40s and 50s. Sixties and 70s continue throughout the Northern Tier, but some 80s cannot be ruled out. Expect mainly 80s and 90s for the Southern Tier, with 100s for parts of the Desert Southwest and the central and southern Plains.