Hurricane Simon Threatens Great Plains With Days of Flooding

Remnants of Hurricane Simon are expected to bring several days of severe storms and flooding to the Great Plains and parts of the central United States beginning Tuesday, according to FOX Weather. The system is forecast to push tropical moisture inland, producing widespread rainfall and raising flash flood concerns across multiple states through Thursday. Hurricane Simon was a Category 3 storm located about 145 miles west-northwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, according to FOX Weather.

A hurricane warning was in effect from Punta San Telmo to El Roblito and Las Islas Marias, Mexico, as the storm continued developing offshore. As Simon weakens and moves inland, its remnants are expected to carry tropical moisture northward into the Great Plains. Moisture from the Gulf will also contribute to the developing weather system, increasing the potential for repeated rounds of rain and thunderstorms.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, a deep dip in the jet stream is expected to settle over the southwestern United States beginning Monday, while a broad ridge of high pressure develops across the South and the Gulf. The atmospheric pattern is expected to help transport moisture northward and support storm development.

By Tuesday, moisture and a disturbance moving out of the Rocky Mountains are expected to trigger thunderstorms. FOX Weather forecasts a Level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. The FOX Forecast Center also expects scattered downpours that could cause isolated flash flooding across northern Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. Those areas face a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat, according to the forecast center.

By Wednesday, rainfall is expected to intensify and shift slightly eastward, prolonging the threat across the central United States. A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat is forecast for western Kansas, most of Missouri and western Illinois. The threatened areas include Kansas City and Wichita, Kansas, as well as St.

Louis, Missouri. Repeated rounds of rain could increase flooding concerns as the weather system moves across the region.

On Thursday, the wet weather is expected to shift northeast into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region. Additional rounds of rainfall are forecast as the storm system continues moving away from the Great Plains. FOX Weather forecasts widespread precipitation totals of about 1 to 2 inches along a corridor extending from northern Texas through Illinois.

The expected rainfall zone covers more than 900 miles. Despite the flooding concerns, the forecast rainfall could provide some relief to areas affected by prolonged drought. Parts of Oklahoma, southern Missouri and Texas have experienced persistent extreme to exceptional drought conditions, according to the source.