Brittany Lockley

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Another&nbsp;threat of severe weather is expected to develop across parts of the Central Plains and Midwest this weekend as a storm system moving out of the Rockies combines with warm, moisture-rich air flowing north from the Gulf. The setup is expected to fuel multiple rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and localized flash flooding.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-18 103639-1781800631981.png">That will stir up our latest batch of severe storms to affect the Great Plains. The midsection of the country has taken the brunt of June, leading any other area of the lower 48 in tornadoes. It just hasn't been where you would expect. "Tornado Alley" is typically thought of from Texas to Nebraska, but more tornadoes have been in Illinois and Indiana.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-17 110839-1781716130735.png">A few storms could pop off on Friday across the Plains, but the biggest risk comes on Saturday afternoon and evening.&nbsp;Conditions will be favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms, with some storms capable of producing wind gusts strong enough to cause damage and hail large enough to impact travel and outdoor activities.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-19 09-59-10-1781884792628.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>While severe weather will be a concern, heavy rainfall may become the more widespread threat. Abundant atmospheric moisture will allow storms to produce intense downpours, and some areas could see rainfall rates of more than an inch per hour. Repeated rounds of thunderstorms moving over the same locations may quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash flooding.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-19 173137-1781911916396.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/plainsrain-1781912034887.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>By Sunday and early next week, the storm system is expected to push farther east, spreading heavy rain and thunderstorm activity into the Midwest and Ohio Valley. Widespread rainfall totals of several inches are possible, with isolated locations potentially receiving even higher amounts where thunderstorms persist.&nbsp;We will continue to monitor the progression of the system as it moves across the region. Residents in areas prone to flooding or severe weather are encouraged to stay informed of the latest forecasts and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts throughout the weekend.&nbsp;

Dave Holder

Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threat Returns Across Plains and Midwest This Weekend

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Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a>

Rob Bradley

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The National Hurricane Center has been tracking Tropical Storm Arthur and has issued their last advisory as it degenerated to a low pressure area along the Upper Texas Coast. It may reform in the Atlantic but won't likely be a direct threat to the United States. Despite the storm degenerating, it's still bringing intense, tropical downpours to parts of the South. A rare HIGH RISK for flash flooding has been issued from eastern Louisiana through western Florida, including southern Alabama and Mississippi. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2067812111733149721" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2067812111733149721"></div> Already in parts of Mississippi and Louisiana, several flash flood emergencies have been issued with torrential downpours in a very short period of time with all of this rich Gulf moisture in place. The radar has estimated over twenty inches of rain just southeast of Alexandria, LA. The intense rainfall rates has also led to water rescues and our Brandon Clement was on the scene of one south of Wiggins, MS.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1781834844067.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/VON_061826_RSE_PERKINSTON, MS_VIDEO OF THE WATER RESCUE_CORCLIPS_BRANDON CLEMENT_MS_E061826-1781811920242.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals may reach up to 5-10 inches with isolated higher totals over a foot from Louisiana through Mississippi and Alabama.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1781834926898.png"><h1>Forecast</h1>The heavy rain and severe threat will continue into the overnight hours. Flash flooding and tornadoes will be possible any time, including the overnight hours. Please have multiple ways to get weather alerts, including with noises loud enough to wake you if you're sleeping.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-19 09-21-11-1781875310006.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Severe Storms</h1>The remnants of Arthur will leave the SE under a severe threat Friday, as the frontal boundary associated with it stalls in the area, producing storms that could lead to additional flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061107-1781875504062.png">

Patrick Crawford

Gulf Coast Under Water Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur Head East

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Tracey Anthony

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Heat and humidity in the southern plains and along the Gulf Coast will feel very tropical and oppressive from Miami to Brownsville, Texas. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061922-1781876207334.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062145-1781876531909.png">Across the Gulf Coast, heat alerts remain in place as hot temperatures and humidity will make it feel like temperatures well into the 100s! Hot temperatures and high humidity in this part of the country can increase heat illness. Make sure to take breaks and find ways to stay cool.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061654-1781875823917.png">On Friday, Houston will have a heat index value of 114° and the most southern tip of Texas will feel close to 120°<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061724-1781875768621.png">

Gulf Coast Heat Index to Dangerous Levels

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A weak low pressure system moving through the Great Basin will help to increase fire danger Friday and Saturday for parts of the west, increasing gusty winds in the region and spurring thunderstorm activity. As the low moves into the Plains states, high pressure will build with record heat possible into next week.Warm and dry conditions will lead to drier fuels, while the low also provides higher winds. Humidity will be less than 10%in some areas with temperatures over 100 degrees. Combined with gusty winds, that's a recipe for high fire danger.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-19 131103-1781896385634.png">IN addition to dry and gusty conditions, the low will spur thunderstorms, with the potential for rain to evaporate before reaching the ground. Known as "dry thunderstorms," these storms can create new fires quickly, sometimes many at once.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-19 125911-1781896395469.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-19 125950-1781896403326.png">When dry thunderstorms are present, downdraft winds can be intense. As the rain evaporates, it cools rapidly and accelerates toward the ground. Gusts over 58 mph are possible Friday and Saturday in parts of the Great Basin and Utah.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-19 125941-1781896428454.png">Stormy conditions with lightning will be most widespread in the afternoon, with a few overnight storms not out of the question. Storms should be less widespread on Saturday as the low shifts east.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-19 13-08-52-1781896452422.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Record heat will continue to contribute to fire danger next week across parts of the West. Areas like Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and California have the potential for records highs starting on Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-19 130014-1781896412664.png">

Dry T-Storms & Fire Danger in the West

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<h1>EARLIER THIS WEEK</h1>MONTROSE, IL - A dangerous tornado tore through the town of Montrose, Illinois on Wednesday evening along the I-70 corridor, just miles after passing through Effingham. WeatherNation field meteorologist Brett Adair captured this tornado on camera and confirmed that homes were damaged, injuries and search and rescues were happening, and power lines were taken down as a result of this tornado.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2067422143177265563" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2067422143177265563"></div>The tornadoes that hit Effingham caused significant damage. Field correspondent Brian Emfinger spoke to residents after the tornado moved out of the area.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2067578080609308927" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2067578080609308927"></div><h1>Tornado Ratings</h1>The reports are coming in slowly across parts of Indiana and Illinois but a few preliminary reports of EF-1s and EF-2s were found. More information could be released Friday as crews continue to survey the damage.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1781836484758.png"><h1>FRIDAY'S THREAT</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061107-1781876883952.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-31 062657-1781876892988.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062330-1781876942885.png">For more info on this forecast, tune into WeatherNation :10 and :30 past the hour for your eastern and central regional forecasts.

Gulf Coast Heat Index to Dangerous Levels

Dry T-Storms & Fire Danger in the West

Tornadoes Tear Through The Midwest, Threat Heads to the East Coast Friday

Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threat Returns Across Plains and Midwest This Weekend

Gulf Coast Under Water Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur Head East

Gulf Coast Heat Index to Dangerous Levels

Dry T-Storms & Fire Danger in the West

Tornadoes Tear Through The Midwest, Threat Heads to the East Coast Friday

Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threat Returns Across Plains and Midwest This Weekend

Gulf Coast Under Water Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur Head East

Gulf Coast Heat Index to Dangerous Levels

Dry T-Storms & Fire Danger in the West

Tornadoes Tear Through The Midwest, Threat Heads to the East Coast Friday