Fall Feel Replacing Record Warmth
The week began with unseasonably warm weather in the northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes regions, but a strong autumn cold front is bringing an abrupt change to the season. A blast of cool air from Canada is descending over the Lower 48 states, causing severe storms and heavy rainfall in the southern United States. Temperatures are plummeting by as much as 40 degrees in some areas.
The battling seasons are also bringing the risk of flooding rains, windstorms, large hail, and a few tornadoes in Texas. Across the nation’s heartland, residents should be prepared for possible severe weather events.
The same front is expected to arrive in the Northeast later in the week, where it will interact with Tropical Storm Philippe as it transitions into a non-tropical storm. Heavy rain and gusty winds are possible in parts of northern New England and Maritime Canada.
The weather pattern indicates that the eastern United States will experience continued cool weather, while the western and central states can expect a renewed warm-up later in October.
Severe Storms Over the Plains
Storms have already erupted along the cold front across the Plains, producing large hail up to the size of baseballs in Kansas. Wind gusts of up to 80 and 82 mph were reported in Osborne, Kansas, and Fairbury, Nebraska, respectively.
More storms are expected on Wednesday, with an enhanced risk of severe weather in the Red River Valley along the Oklahoma and Texas border. The southern suburbs of Oklahoma City are particularly at risk, along with areas stretching southwestward toward Lubbock. Residents should prepare for damaging hail, straight-line winds, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes. Dallas may also experience flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Philippe to Become a Weekend Concern
The cold front sweeping across central states may also interact with former Tropical Storm Philippe over the weekend, potentially impacting parts of Maine. Philippe is currently located in the Atlantic, drifting north-northwest towards Bermuda. It is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to Bermuda on Friday before transitioning into an extratropical storm over the weekend. By then, it will derive its energy from the jet stream.
The post-tropical Philippe is projected to move towards Maine and/or the Canadian Maritimes, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds in the 50 to 60 mph range. While the storm’s exact path is uncertain, residents in Maine, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick should be prepared for potential flooding and strong winds.
Atlantic Hurricane Season Slows, But Beware of October
Although the Atlantic hurricane season has slowed, October can still bring unpredictable weather patterns. Philippe’s path is expected to curl northwestward over Quebec, potentially helping to extinguish wildfires in the area.
Residents in affected regions should stay updated on the latest weather advisories and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.