Widespread Showers in the Eastern US; Severe Thunderstorms in the Plains; Heatwave in the Desert Southwest

Widespread showers and thunderstorms across much of the central and eastern U.S. will produce areas of excessive rainfall, especially in the southern Mid-Atlantic states. Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected from Montana into portions of the central/southern Plains this weekend. A heatwave will build in the Desert Southwest, in parts of Arizona, southeastern California, and southern Nevada. Read More >

Overview

Very heavy rainfall developed during the afternoon of Tuesday March 8, 2016, and continued off and on through Saturday March 12. Rainfall amounts of over 20 inches were recorded in a few locations before the rain ended. Many locations have experienced extreme flash flooding, particularly across East Texas and North Louisiana. Numerous roadways were flooded and closed. Many schools across the area were closed. Numerous high-water rescues were performed. Homes and businesses were evacuated in many locations, mainly across northern Louisiana. Many historical records were broken on area rivers and lakes.

*Preliminary Rainfall Totals from Selected Locations as of 10am, 3/11//2016*
LOCATION	RAINFALL AMOUNTS (INCHES)	TIME OF REPORT
Taylortown (7 miles ESE of Barksdale AFB), Bossier Parish, LA	18.39	7:00am, 3/10/2016
Red River Research Station, Bossier City, Bossier Parish, LA	16.8	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Barksdale AFB, Bossier Parish, LA	18.84	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Jamestown, Bienville Parish, LA	15.72	7:00am, 3/11/2016
Koran, Bossier Parish, LA	15.35	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Center, Shelby County, TX	10.42	7:00am, 3/12/2016
1 mile N of Homer, Claiborne Parish, LA	14.66	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Minden, Webster Parish, LA	18.03	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Arcadia, Bienville Parish, LA	15.20	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Swartz, Ouachita Parish, LA	22.25	7:30am, 3/11/2016
Longview, Gregg County, TX	9.10	10:00am, 3/12/2016
Tyler, Smith County, TX	7.32	9:00am, 3/12/2016
Monroe, Ouachita Parish, LA	20.26	9:00am, 3/12/2016
Columbia Lock, Columbia, Caldwell Parish, LA	8.93	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Southern Hills, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA	13.14	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, LA	16.44	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Marshall, Harrison County, TX	10.76	7:00am, 3/12/2016
Carthage, Panola County, TX	11.13	7:00am. 3/12/2016
Shreveport Regional Airport, Caddo Parish, LA	11.51	9:00am, 3/12/2016