This blog post explains an approaching multi-day storm system forecast to impact the Plains from Sunday through Tuesday. It will bring periods of heavy rainfall and a heightened risk of dangerous flash flooding across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
As a meteorologist with three decades of experience, I’ll break down the timeline, the level of risk, likely impacts, and practical preparedness steps residents and travelers should take.
What the forecast is saying
Forecasters are tracking a series of storms that will move across the central United States beginning Sunday and persisting into Tuesday. The pattern is expected to deliver repeated bouts of heavy rain rather than a single short-lived downpour, raising concerns about runoff and rapid rises in waterways.
The National Weather Service and local meteorologists have already issued a level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat for early in the week. This is a clear signal that conditions could deteriorate quickly in susceptible areas.
Timing and geography of the threat
The heightened threat is focused primarily on Sunday and Monday, when the heaviest and most persistent rainfall is expected. While Tuesday may see lingering showers, the greatest acute risk for flash flooding is concentrated over the first two days of the event.
States most at risk include parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. These regions encompass a mix of urban corridors, rural basins, and low-lying flood-prone terrain that can respond rapidly to intense rain.
Why this matters: flash flooding and cascading impacts
Flash floods are among the most dangerous weather phenomena because they can develop with little warning and move quickly through populated and remote areas alike. When multiple storm bands traverse the same drainage basins over 24–48 hours, soil saturation rises and streams, creeks, and rivers can surge beyond their banks.
In addition to inundation of roadways and low-lying neighborhoods, heavy multi-day rainfall can cause:
Monitoring and warnings
Authorities are closely monitoring rainfall totals and soil moisture to issue additional warnings if needed. It is important to treat watches and warnings seriously — they are issued based on observed data and predictive models that identify where flooding is most likely to occur.
Real-time information from the National Weather Service, local emergency management offices, and trusted weather apps will be invaluable during this event.
Practical preparedness guidance
Preparedness can dramatically reduce risk. Residents in the affected states should take concrete steps now to minimize harm and ensure personal safety.
Final thoughts from an experienced meteorologist
This multi-day storm pattern underscores the Plains’ ongoing vulnerability to severe spring weather.
The combination of repeated heavy rain and saturated soils creates a credible risk for flash flooding.
Here is the source article for this story: Thanksgiving-week storms to bring heavy rain, flash flooding to Plains | Latest Weather Clips