Where heavy rain may be a problem across the U.S. this week
Pockets of heavy rain are possible, scattered about the Lower 48 this week. Flood watches were in effect Wednesday across the High Plains of Colorado and New Mexico, Iowa and Illinois, and southeast Montana.
On Thursday, heavy rains could spread to the Acela corridor along Interstate 95 between Washington and New York City.
On Wednesday, there were several areas at risk for flooding.
On Thursday, a frontal boundary sagging southeast through the Mid-Atlantic and New York City tri-state area could pose some urban flood concerns. That will spark scattered to numerous thunderstorms in the afternoon, presenting a marginal risk for severe weather.
High-resolution weather models suggest rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour are possible in the heaviest downpours. A few locales could receive 3 to 5 inches throughout the evening hours. That could spawn some flooding.
The same frontal boundary will sag into the Carolinas on Friday, leading to a slight risk of flash flooding and excessive rainfall. A couple totals of 2 to 4 inches are possible. It's worth noting that, due to the scattered nature of summertime storms, some areas won't see much rain at all — whereas others may end up with more substantial totals.
There have been a remarkable 2,285 reports of flooding across 47 states and D.C. so far this July.
A nearly constant flow of moisture from the tropics has been harnessed by thunderstorm complexes, fronts and the remnants of tropical storms, leading to several deadly and destructive floods.
The amount of moisture pulsing across the country's skies has also been at record-high levels — providing extra fuel for strengthening storms. This is part of an ongoing global trend toward a more vaporous atmosphere, a part of climate change that some researchers say isn't getting enough attention.
Flood risks will continue across the Southeast into the weekend, while cooler, drier air ushers a break from downpours for the Midwest and Northeast.
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