Apex Wx

Heavy Rain and Flash Flood Threat Expands Across Texas and the Gulf Coast
A widespread threat for heavy rainfall and flash flooding will continue across large portions of Texas and the central Gulf Coast through tonight as several rounds of showers and thunderstorms develop over very moist and unstable air. Across west and central Texas, storms are expected to become numerous during the afternoon and evening, producing repeated downpours that could lead to rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches, with isolated amounts of 5 inches possible in the hardest hit areas. The greatest concern for flooding will be near urban locations, low water crossings, and poor drainage areas from the Permian Basin and Hill Country eastward toward the Interstate 35 corridor, including areas near Austin and San Antonio. Farther east, additional heavy rain is expected from southeastern Louisiana through coastal Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle, where saturated ground conditions will increase the risk for flash flooding. Some locations near the Gulf Coast could receive several more inches of rain. Scattered heavy thunderstorms may also develop farther north into parts of the southern Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic, while isolated flooding concerns are possible in the northern Rockies near burn scar areas.

Fire Weather Concerns Increase Across the West and Northern Plains
An active weather pattern will continue across the western United States as a strong upper level storm system settles into the Great Basin while warmer high pressure strengthens across the central part of the country. Gusty winds and very dry air will create elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions across parts of the Great Basin, especially in lower elevations where vegetation remains dry. Winds of 20 to 30 mph combined with low humidity levels will increase the risk for rapid fire spread through the afternoon and evening hours. Similar dry and breezy conditions are expected across northeastern Montana and far western North Dakota, where delayed spring green-up continues to leave grasses and other fuels vulnerable to fire danger. Isolated thunderstorms may also develop across parts of Montana, with some storms capable of producing little rainfall and gusty winds. Meanwhile, periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected across south-central Texas and much of the Southeast.