Tropical moisture to fuel severe storms over Central, Southern US with heavy rain triggering flood threats
With outlooks showing this front stalling, producing multiple rounds of rain continuing into the middle of next week, the risk of flash flooding will likely persist and may expand, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Tropical moisture fuels severe storms, growing flood threat across southern US
Tropical moisture is fueling the chance for severe storms across the central and southern U.S. This is once again putting areas in the Midwest on alert for damaging winds and hail, while the South braces for additional flood risks. Latest:
A more active weather pattern is set to return to the central and southern U.S. this weekend. This will all kick off with the potential for severe weather on Saturday and lead into the beginning of next week, all fueled by a surge of tropical moisture.
This threat follows days of life-threatening flash flooding that tore through the region, inundating homes and structures, and triggering multiple water rescues.
![First responders in and around Huntsville also conducted multiple water rescues of drivers trapped on flooded local roads.]()
Image 1 of 4First responders in and around Huntsville also conducted multiple water rescues of drivers trapped on flooded local roads on Sunday, June 7, 2026. (Moores Mill Vol. Fire Rescue/Facebook)
![Heavy downpours prompt emergency rescues across parts of Central Texas Saturday.]()
Image 2 of 4Heavy downpours prompt emergency rescues across parts of Central Texas Saturday. (@TexasGameWarden / X)
![Floodwaters inundate neighborhood in Hollywood, Alabama, on Sunday, June 7, 2026.]()
Image 3 of 4Floodwaters inundate neighborhood in Hollywood, Alabama, on Sunday, June 7, 2026. (Hollywood Fire & Rescue)
![Thunderstorms cause flooding in Fairview, Oklahoma on Friday, June 5, 2026.]()
Image 4 of 4Thunderstorms cause flooding in Fairview, Oklahoma on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Phillip McGee via Storyful)
The active pattern will also once again place some of the same areas currently in the risk zone for more damaging winds, large hail and a few possible tornadoes across portions of the Midwest.
Multiple downed power lines and trees across Joliet, IL, as severe weather impacts the city.
(@JolietWeather/X / FOX Weather)
By Saturday afternoon, an area of low pressure will begin to move out of the Rockies and intensify as it moves into the Central Plains.
Extending from this area of low pressure will be a cold front draped from Kansas through Texas, along with a warm front stretching north into the Great Lakes.
(FOX Weather)
In the warm sector, south of the warm front, hot temperatures accompanied by high humidity, will increase instability while the low-pressure system and its accompanying fronts move east.
As a result, storms will begin to develop during the afternoon and persist into the overnight hours.
OVER 400K RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER IN THE MIDWEST AFTER DESTRUCTIVE DERECHO SLAMMED THE REGION
For this reason, a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk is already in place for Saturday, including Kansas City, Omaha, and Quincy, Illinois.
The FOX Firecast Center said severe storms that do develop will likely produce damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes.
(FOX Weather)
As this area of low pressure moves toward the Northeast, the trailing cold front will slow down, extending from the Great Lakes into northern Texas by Sunday and Monday.
SUMMER HEAT, APPROACHING COLD FRONT FUEL INCREASED MULTIDAY SEVERE STORM THREAT IN THE NORTHEAST
South of this front, strong southerly flow will pull Gulf moisture into the South that was previously associated with the area of interest in the Bay of Campeche.
Texas Game Wardens, along with the SAR team, carry residents out of rising floodwaters in Central Texas Saturday.
(@TexasGameWarden / X)
Due to the increased tropical moisture and instability, periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely through the end of the weekend and into next week.
14 SAVED FROM FLOODED ALABAMA CAVES DURING FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY
This has prompted a Level 2 out 4 flash flood risk is in place for both Saturday and Sunday across Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
(FOX Weather)
Through early next week, widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are possible from Texas through Tennessee, with localized amounts of about 5 inches or more.
With outlooks showing this front stalling, producing multiple rounds of rain continuing into the middle of next week, the risk of flash flooding will likely persist and may expand, the FOX Forecast Center said.