Severe weather impacts central, southern US on Memorial Day weekend
Temperatures will be spilt across the country over the holiday weekend with cool temperatures in the Northeast and Midwest and warm temperatures across the western and southern U.S.
Meanwhile, rounds of severe weather and heavy rain are expected across the Plains and parts of the South.
This is partially due to the jet stream, where warm and cold air masses separate, being set up over the same areas that'll see rain and storms for the holiday weekend. This pattern will also bring a nationwide temperature divide this weekend.
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are targeting parts of the Plains and South for the holiday weekend. The current round of stormy weather is focused over Arkansas, western Tennessee, and northern Mississippi.
Additional rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms will sweep from the Texas panhandle to Alabama through the weekend.
Flash flooding was reported earlier Saturday across portions of eastern Oklahoma and southwestern Missouri. Additional areas of flash flooding could develop where the heaviest rain falls.
A Flood Watch remains in effect for portions of northeastern Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas, southwestern Missouri and northern Arkansas, including Tulsa, Oklahoma; Springfield, Missouri; and Little Rock, Arkansas.
A widespread 3 to 6 inches of rain is forecast in these areas through Monday, with locally higher amounts possible in spots.
Severe thunderstorms are possible from the Texas panhandle to Alabama later Saturday into the night.
The primary hazards from any severe thunderstorms that move through will be strong and potentially damaging wind gusts and large hail.
Isolated tornadoes are also possible, especially across areas highlighted in orange above. These areas are under a level 3 out of 5, "Enhanced Risk", which includes the Oklahoma City metro area.
Any stronger, slow-moving thunderstorms bringing torrential rain could trigger areas of flash flooding where the heaviest rain falls and bring frequent lightning.
Severe thunderstorms will threaten many of the same areas tomorrow with damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes possible.
Currently, the greatest risk looks to be for portions of the Texas panhandle into southern Oklahoma. These areas are under a level 3 of 5, "Enhanced Risk", with numerous severe thunderstorms possible.
Pleasant but cool temperatures
Pleasant conditions will be settling in from the Northeast to the Midwest, but below normal temperatures will linger for the holiday weekend.
Weather conditions continue to gradually improve across the Northeast, with even greater improvements expected for the rest of the holiday weekend, into Sunday and Monday.
Lingering scattered showers are still possible this afternoon, especially from upstate New York into northern New England, with a similar situation expected tomorrow as well.
Milder temperatures will return to the region in the coming days as well.
Portions of the central U.S. will remain unsettled for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday with additional rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms sweeping through.
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain could impact north Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area throughout the day.
The Northeast and Midwest will enjoy widespread beautiful weather with dry, comfortable conditions. Temperatures will be closer to average for this time of the year.
It will be dry, hot, and sunny across the Southwest with scattered showers possible in parts of the Northwest, mainly across western Washington-Oregon and into the northern Rockies.
