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Circulating Storm Pattern Fuels Flash Flood Watches as Heat Wave Bakes 50 Million

A Southeast high-pressure dome trapping storms on its perimeter fuels flash flood watches under searing heat alerts

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In addition to the flooding threats in the eastern U.S. and Midwest, the National Weather Service warns the Central Plains, Lower and Middle Mississippi Valley, and Southeastern U.S. can expect "dangerously hot conditions." Screenshot: NWS/X

Overview

  • On Sunday flash flooding struck parts of Iowa, prompting a flash flood warning in Des Moines and flood watches now spanning from Missouri to West Virginia, including Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
  • More than 50 million residents from Kansas to the Carolinas remain under extreme heat alerts with heat indices reaching up to 110°F.
  • Forecasters attribute the overlapping hazards to a persistent high-pressure dome over the Southeast that traps storms in a “ring of fire” formation around its edge.
  • Saturated soils from earlier downpours have intensified flash flood risks, with portions of Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois facing moderate excessive rainfall threats of 3 to 5 inches.
  • Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches are active across the Plains and Northeast, carrying threats of damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes.