Ridge-riding storms set to hammer soaked Northern Tier with renewed flood threat extending into Northeast

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Repeated rounds of storms to bring renewed flash flood risk to already-soaked Northern Tier

A soggy pattern is returning to the Great Lakes and Midwest before making its way into the Northeast. Ridge-rider storms are expected to bring repeated rounds of rain along the same path, and with the ground already saturated, it brings the risk of flash flooding. Full forecast: 

THE TAKEAWAY

• A wet weather pattern returns to the Northern Tier, extending into the Northeast through midweek.
• A Level 1 out of 4 flood threat has been issued for portions of the region through Monday.
• Parts of the Great Lakes are experiencing their wettest year on record for 2026.

After a few quiet days across the Midwest and Great Lakes, a soggy pattern is set to return, bringing another round of heavy rain, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

The unsettled pattern will eventually shift into the Northeast by early this week.

MORE RAIN TARGETS UPPER MIDWEST PUTTING MILLIONS ALREADY HAVING WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD UNDER FLOOD THREAT

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This renewed flood threat compounds an already saturated region: parts of the Great Lakes are experiencing their wettest year on record for 2026, the Midwest has faced life-threatening flash floods and the Northeast has also dealt with heavy flooding.

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As a ridge of high pressure remains across the South, energy and storms will continue riding along its periphery from the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast through early this week.

WHAT IS A RIDGE RIDER AND HOW DO THEY FORM?

Storms will be capable of intense rainfall rates and localized flash flooding through Monday, the FOX Forecast Center said.

Sunday through Monday, an area of low pressure moving out of the Rockies will increase instability and moisture as it pushes into southern Canada, the FOX Forecast Center said.

As the system tracks northward, locally heavy rain will develop across portions of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Rainfall rates of 1 to more than 2 inches per hour are possible.

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With daily rain chances and already saturated ground, a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk is in place through Monday, as the heaviest rain shifts into the Northeast around the ridge of high pressure to the south.

There is also an upgraded, wind-driven Level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk in place for the Northern Plains on Sunday.

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Rain has been quite the theme this year across parts of the Great Lakes. Green Bay has received more than 29 inches of rain so far this year, more than 7 inches above average, making 2026 the city's wettest year on record, with records dating back 140 years.

Additionally, Alpena, Michigan, is more than 12 inches above average for the year, while Houghton Lake, Michigan, is more than 7 inches above average.

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Eventually, this moisture will surge eastward, potentially bringing several inches of rain to the Northeast into early to midweek.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Another Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk is present for the Northeast Monday and will likely be extended into Tuesday and Wednesday as heavier rain moves in, according to the FOX Forecast Center.