Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain Possible Across the Central U.S.; Additional Flash Flooding Potential in the Mid-Atlantic

Strong thunderstorms are forecast across parts of the Central Plains and Midwest today with damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rainfall the primary threats. Heavy rain and scattered flash flooding is also possible across the Carolinas into Virginia. Elevated to critical fire weather concerns in the Four Corners region as Extreme Heat Warnings remain in effect across the Desert Southwest. Read More >

April 2023 was quite eventful weather-wise with temperatures trending a bit below normal and precipitation above normal pretty much everywhere. Within the below normal temperatures was about a week of well above normal temperatures early to mid month, which led to a rapid melt of a very unseasonably high snow pack across the region. This brought widespread minor areal and river/stream flooding with some areas where flooding was more impactful, including (but not limited to) Aitkin, Barnum, Moose Lake, and Clam Lake. More wintry and rainy weather followed this snow melt through the month. Record breaking seasonal snowfalls were set at several locations, including Duluth, with snow that fell in April. With all of the rain and snow, river levels generally remain elevated and drought conditions are pretty much non-existent. Flooding concerns are expected to continue into early May with snow pack still remaining over parts of the North Shore.

Looking ahead, above average temperatures are expected through May per CPC outlooks. There are no clear signals for above or below average temperatures or precipitation in the 3 month outlooks going into the early summer.