Life-threatening flash flooding unfolding in Upper Midwest
MINNEAPOLIS — A dangerous weather pattern is setting up across parts of the Upper Midwest, setting the stage for potentially life-threatening flash flooding.
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to bring widespread torrential rains across parts of South Dakota, northern Iowa, southern Minnesota and into southern Wisconsin.
Widespread rainfall totals of 2-4 inches are likely through Saturday afternoon, with some storms exceeding 5 inches. Rainfall rates in the heaviest storms are expected to be over 1 inch per hour, and if storm activity could sit over the same areas, life-threatening flash flooding and rapid-rise river flooding could occur.
"Torrential rain in such a short time will cause washed out roads, water in homes, and flooding in places that have not flooded before. Some may even experience impacts 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 seen in their lifetime," National Weather Service meteorologists stated.
Several river sites are likely to reach major flood stage within the next week, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Flood Watches cover roughly 9 million people in the area.
NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has much of that region in at least a Level 2 out of 4 flooding risk, including Minneapolis and Milwaukee, with a Level 3 risk zone stretching from roughly Sioux Falls, South Dakota, along the Minnesota/Iowa border and into western Wisconsin.
"When we look at the outlook, the saturated ground…because we’ve been in this persistent storm path, it does heighten that flood risk to a Level 3," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar.
And forecasters are closely monitoring whether part of that risk zone needs to be upgraded to a rare Level 4 High Risk.
"There was some consideration given to a High Risk upgrade within the Moderate Risk area. The pattern over the region is classic for flash flooding," WPC forecasters said. "Either way, the potential exists for significant and life-threatening flash flood impacts in the region, and people in the area are advised to closely monitor for warnings later (Friday)."
The severe weather threat lingers into Saturday and shifts east into the upper Mississippi Valley and western Great Lakes.
Chicago, Milwaukee and Des Moines are all in a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather threat, with Detroit and Minneapolis and Kansas City also with a risk of severe thunderstorms.
Original article source: Life-threatening flash flooding unfolding in Upper Midwest
