From Friday into early next week, a busy weather pattern will impact much of the country. A strong system moving into the Southwest on Friday will spread rain eastward across the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley, with some areas seeing moderate to heavy rainfall through Saturday. This system is expected to reach the East by Sunday, where rain is likely, and a small chance of wintry weather could develop on the northern edge, though confidence in impacts remains low. Meanwhile, another storm system will approach the West Coast, bringing increasing rain and mountain snow to California and the Pacific Northwest, including heavy snow in the Sierra. Between these systems, much warmer-than-normal temperatures are expected across the central U.S.

Wednesday: No severe thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday. High pressure aloft will build over much of the central United States, helping to suppress storm development and keep conditions relatively quiet. Farther west, a developing weather system will move across California into the Great Basin, bringing some unsettled weather. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms may develop, mainly across parts of central California during the day. Storm activity should be limited in coverage and intensity, and it is expected to diminish during the evening and overnight hours as the atmosphere becomes less supportive of thunderstorms.

Thursday: Thunderstorms are not expected on Thursday. High pressure in the upper atmosphere will remain in place across much of the central United States, promoting stable and quiet weather. While a weather system moves across California toward northwest Mexico, and winds near the surface turn southerly over parts of the southern Plains and western Gulf, only modest moisture will be able to move northward. This moisture increase is expected to be limited and mainly occur later in the day. With strong upper-level ridging and surface high pressure dominating most areas, the atmosphere will remain stable, preventing thunderstorm development across the country.

Friday - Tuesday: From Friday through Sunday, a weather system will move from the Southwest into the Southeast, bringing increasing clouds and moisture to parts of Texas and the Deep South. Winds will turn from the south, allowing warmer and more humid air from the Gulf to spread northward through the weekend. This setup could support some thunderstorm development, mainly from Friday night into Saturday in Texas, then farther east into the Lower Mississippi Valley and Deep South by Sunday. While a few storms could become briefly strong, overall severe weather potential appears limited due to only modest instability, cooler air near the surface, and uncertainty in how much moisture returns. At this time, widespread or significant severe weather is not expected.

National Weather Outlook sources: Weather Prediction Center & Storm Prediction Center