Severe storm threat ramps up with fierce winds, soaking rains aiming at the Plains as potential flooding looms
Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings have been issued for central and western Montana, where wind gusts could reach up to 90 mph through the afternoon along I‑15, from Bozeman toward the Glacier National Park area.
Fierce winds lash Northern Plains, with gusts up to 90 mph possible
Strong winds are whipping across the Northern Plains, prompting High Wind Alerts for portions of Montana where gusts could reach 90 mph. This will be followed by severe storms and flash flooding threats across the Central Plains by midweek. FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin breaks down what’s happening:
Rounds of fierce winds topping 50 mph in some areas are sweeping across the Northern Plains, setting the stage for a shift toward severe storms and flash flooding threats across the Central Plains by midweek.
Main areas of impact include parts of Montana, Iowa, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Nebraska.
Wind alerts are in effect across Montana on Tuesday, while a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk is in place for Thursday and Friday across Kansas, northern Missouri, and far western Illinois.
A strengthening area of low pressure is moving across southern Canada on Tuesday, triggering strong to potentially damaging winds across portions of the Northern Rockies.
Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings have been issued for central and western Montana, where wind gusts could reach up to 90 mph through the afternoon along I‑15, from Bozeman toward the Glacier National Park area.
Wind gusts are expected to expand late Tuesday into Wednesday morning across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
In Minneapolis, gusts over 45 mph are forecast as the storm system moves north of the Great Lakes.
As the system tracks into southeastern Canada, a trailing front will stall from the Great Lakes through the Central Plains.
The FOX Forecast Center said this stall will trigger multiple rounds of moisture over the same regions, heightening the flash flood risk.
Additionally, isolated severe storms may develop across Kansas on Wednesday afternoon.
The Weather Prediction Center has maintained a Level 1 out of 4 for flash flooding through Thursday and Friday across eastern Kansas, northern Missouri, and far western Illinois, including Kansas City.
Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected between Wednesday and Friday, with localized amounts of 2 to 3 inches possible near the Kansas City metro area.