Are we about to have another rainy/stormy week?

Our latest spell of rainy/stormy weather is winding down for the time being and it's probably okay that it does as we have some areas that need a breather. Fortunately, major flooding has been limited to a couple of areas in Kansas, but it was bad enough. Natoma (in Osborne county) was hit last weekend and there were some roads out near Garden City that were washed out. 

Here's how the map looks after the last 14 days of rain.

And now the updated drought map looks like this:

Next week looks busy... again. There will be some excited for the potential of more storms, while others would be okay with some drier weather for now. Keep this in mind, if we load up our soils with water now, it lessens the chance of major, prolonged heat waves here in about 30-45 days. Heavy rains (as we have already experienced) can do damage and create some real problems. But the upside is greener grass and vegetation with a stronger likelihood of a moderate summer. 

Setup next week:

 

We will most likely have another low pressure system in the west for a good part of the week. At the same time (by Tuesday/Wednesday), a front may stop over the Plains for a couple of days. The high octane Gulf moisture will still be around, and that turns up the chances for more rain (and heavy rain) as we roll through the week. Severe weather chances will most likely come back too, with a good dose of it coming at night (although timing could change some)

How much rain?

Models have some agreement that another widespread 1-3" (maybe more) could come through the Plains from Tuesday - Friday. Please watch carefully, especially if you had a bunch of rain already. This might be a problem for some creeks and flood prone areas. As for which days might have severe storms, it looks like Tuesday night and maybe again Thursday/Friday. We may not know too much until time is closer. 

Early summer predictions:

There are some "hints" at what we may have for weather this summer. If you would've asked me two months ago, I would've said hot and bone dry. However, in keeping up with the trends and patterns as of late, there's reason to hope for nice rains in June, which may temper the heat as we move through July. Ocean temperatures resemble summers when it has been BRUTALLY hot around Kansas, but I don't think we are headed for an endless string of 100s. Let's hope!