AccuWeather meteorologists are warning of a continuation of disruptive and dangerous weather patterns into April, with a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding and severe thunderstorms across a large portion of the United States.
The advisory follows a weekend of severe weather that resulted in at least two fatalities in Indiana and Oklahoma due to tornadoes, destructive wind gusts, and large hail.
AccuWeather is highlighting the widespread danger of flooding, especially later in the week. “While severe thunderstorms will pose a significant danger in many communities across parts of the Central and Eastern U.S. this week, the risk for life-threatening flooding may be the most widespread danger, especially later in the week,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
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He emphasized the potential for multiple rounds of heavy downpours, which can quickly lead to flash flood emergencies, particularly with rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour on already saturated ground.
The risk of severe weather will shift eastward across the East Coast through Monday night, with potential for hail, isolated tornadoes, flooding downpours, and damaging wind gusts, especially from the Florida Panhandle to Virginia.
A new storm system emerging into the Plains late Tuesday will trigger another round of severe weather across the central U.S. and eventually the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys.
“We’re expecting a very stormy start to the month of April,” said AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno. He noted that the spring-like warmth ahead of the storms will fuel the risk of tornadoes and damaging wind gusts, with temperatures reaching mid-May levels in some areas.
Damaging wind gusts, isolated tornadoes, and large hail are possible from north-central Texas to Illinois from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night.
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A similar severe-weather setup to Sunday’s storms is expected from Texas to Michigan on Wednesday. AccuWeather has issued a high-risk zone for severe thunderstorms on Wednesday across parts of northeastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, southeastern Missouri, southwestern Indiana, and western Kentucky.
AccuWeather Severe Weather Expert Guy Pearson noted the risk to areas recently impacted by severe weather. “Some of the towns recently hit hard by tornadoes and severe thunderstorms could unfortunately be impacted again this week,” he said, highlighting the influence of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico.
The forecast for Wednesday includes the possibility of tornadoes, large hail, areas of flash flooding, and widespread damaging wind gusts of 60-70 mph, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 95 mph.
“This is a huge area facing a risk of severe weather spanning from Texas all the way to Michigan. We could see two dozen tornadoes or more on Wednesday. The risk for tornadoes will extend well into the late-night hours,” Rayno warned.
The highest risk for tornadoes on Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night is focused across a broad area from extreme northeastern Texas and northwestern Louisiana to parts of southern Illinois and central Indiana.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham highlighted the potential for strong tornadoes, particularly from the Texas-Arkansas border northward.
In addition to severe thunderstorms, a surge of moisture from the Gulf will bring soaking downpours from Texas to Pennsylvania from Wednesday through the weekend. The area from far northeastern Texas to southern Ohio faces a significant risk of flash flooding as repeated storms drench the region, causing river levels to rise and potentially leading to road closures and flooded basements.
“We are concerned about the increasing risk of significant flash flooding with potentially life-threatening impacts from the Ozarks to western Kentucky and the Ohio Valley,” Rayno said.
AccuWeather meteorologists are particularly concerned about portions of northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky, where the highest rainfall totals and flash flooding risk are expected. This area experienced historic and deadly flash flooding in mid-February.
AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist William Clark emphasized the tropical nature of the incoming moisture, stating, “That moisture plume will be tropical in nature and originate from the Caribbean. Tropical moisture raises the risk of excessive rainfall. Should the amount of rain occur that we anticipate over the middle of the nation, it would exceed the 500 to 1,000-year average. Truly, the potential is there for a historic flash flooding event.”
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Some areas are forecast to receive more than a foot of rainfall, which can quickly trigger life-threatening flash flooding. AccuWeather meteorologists warn of the potential for up to four months’ worth of rain to fall in five days in the hardest-hit areas.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned the importance of vigilance and preparedness.
“People who work and live near creeks, rivers and low-lying areas prone to flooding need to be vigilant for rapidly rising water and have a plan to move to higher ground immediately if flood warnings are issued in your community. With extreme rainfall expected, a life-threatening flash flooding emergency can happen within a matter of minutes. Flash flooding is especially dangerous at night when you have less visibility and awareness about what is going on around you. People who have lived in a community their entire lives may see water rapidly rising and flooding areas they have never seen flood before. Do not assume that if you have not seen flooding in an area before, that it will not occur this time.”
Porter also urged caution for travelers, emphasizing the danger of driving through flooded areas. “A foot of moving flood waters can carry away most cars, leading to a life-threatening emergency. Swift-water rescues are incredibly dangerous and put everyone at risk, including first responders. Never try to drive down a flooded road,” he said. He highlighted the “invisible dangers” beneath floodwaters, such as washed-out roads and bridges, and the risk of vehicle collapse.
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The threat of severe thunderstorms is expected to continue on Thursday across a dozen states in the central and eastern U.S., with continued risks of flash flooding, hail, isolated tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts.
The severe weather and flash flooding are expected to cause travel delays on roads and at airports, as well as disruptions to business and supply chain logistics.
AccuWeather’s 2025 U.S. Severe Weather Forecast predicts 1,300 to 1,450 tornadoes across the U.S. this year, with most of the severe weather and tornado threats likely occurring east of the traditional “Tornado Alley” region.
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