Torrential downpours driven by monster storms threaten millions of Americans with a "catastrophic once-in-a-thousand-years" flooding event.
A "life-threatening" deluge across eastern states ahead of the weekend threatens to dump up to two feet of rain.
Rivers could hit breaking point as torrents of heavy downpours are ‘funnelled’ into central states by a high-pressure dome wedged off the Atlantic coast.
Storms will drive the threat into the weekend as forecasters warn parts of the country are facing the worst floods in US history.
A ‘life-threatening’ deluge across eastern states ahead of the weekend threatens to dump up to two feet of rain
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AccuWeather meteorologist Jonathan Porter said: “This is a very alarming setup, and we’re concerned about the risk of life-threatening and historic flash flooding, which could evolve into a major river flooding event.
“Up to four months’ worth of rainfall is expected in five days in some areas which could trigger a one-in-1,000-year flood.
“We are forecasting a zone of 12 to 18 inches of rainfall through Saturday night across northeastern Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, northwestern Tennessee, western Kentucky, southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana, with a maximum of 21 inches.”
The warnings follow violent storms which kicked off at the weekend to unleash a week of wind, rain and tornado assaults.
Surging temperatures to the south clashing with cold air to the north has created a storm battle zone.
This weekend, the threat comes from a massive high-pressure anticyclone off the east coast feeding rain into the Gulf Coast and central states.
Porter said: “A big area of high pressure off the coast of the Southeast United States will funnel moisture from the Caribbean and Gulf into central parts.
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Surging temperatures to the south clashing with cold air to the north has created a storm battle zone
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“The weather pattern will look like a traffic jam in the atmosphere, with repeating thunderstorms and downpours over the same areas.
“This is a recipe for big flooding problems and it’s incredibly unusual to forecast this much rainfall in this part of the United States when a tropical storm or hurricane is not involved.”
National Weather forecasters warn a "potent spring storm" poses a significant "danger to life".
Further north, heavy rain hitting residual Arctic air will trigger heavy winter downpours and an eight-inch snow dump.
A spokesman for the National Weather Service (NOAA) said: “A potent Spring storm will bring the threat of significant, life-threatening, and potentially catastrophic flash flooding, widespread and impactful weather to portions of the Plains, the Mississippi Valley and the Midwest.
“There is the growing potential of very large hail, significant damaging winds, and strong tornadoes with the greatest threat lies from the Lower Ohio Valley to the Middle Mississippi Valley.
National Weather forecasters warn a 'potent spring storm' poses a significant 'danger to life'
NOAA
“A late-season winter storm is also forecast in the colder air to the north of the system across portions of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, and snow will continue to increase with gusty winds leading to blowing snow and difficult travel conditions.”
America has been ravaged by storms through the start of spring with the next month or so to bring the peak of tornado season.
Severe weather has been worsened by unusually high temperatures in the south competing with cold air to the north.
This ‘unbroken pattern’ threatens to drive further severe storms through the run up to summer, experts warn.
Jim Dale, US meteorologist for British Weather Services and co-author of ‘Surviving Extreme Weather’, said: “This week, severe weather will span a large region and there will be a lot of people involved, with the greatest risk from very heavy and persistent rain and storms brining the risk of tornadoes.
“I would expect to see this unbroken pattern continue for a while.”