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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Many travelers could face dangerous weather conditions as thunderstorms are expected to plague a wide swath of the U.S. during Memorial Day weekend.
Newsweek reached out to AccuWeather by email for comment.
Why It Matters
This year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) is anticipating that more than 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home from May 22 to 26 to celebrate Memorial Day. It's expected to set a new Memorial Day weekend travel record.
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Severe weather could disrupt plans or pose dangers to travelers on Monday as AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting thunderstorms from Montana and North Dakota south through Texas and east through South Carolina.
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What To Know
Thunderstorms are expected across much of the nation on Monday, potentially disrupting Memorial Day parades and celebrations and any day-of travel.
In addition to the widespread thunderstorms across the Central and Southern U.S., rain is expected in the Northeast, with cool temperatures across much of the Midwest. Storms and rain also are expected in Oregon, but the rest of the West is expected to be warm.
Heavy rain has occurred in parts of the Southern Plains this week leading to the travel-heavy weekend. Saturated ground could be more at risk for flash flooding in the more severely affected areas.
On Friday, flood watches remain in place for southeast Kansas, northeast Nebraska, southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Some of the watches are expected to remain in place through Memorial Day evening.
"Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will occur Friday night through Monday. Current total rainfall amounts of 2-5 inches will occur across the area with localized amounts up to 8 inches," the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Springfield, Missouri, said in a flood watch. "The highest rainfall amounts look to occur across southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri."
Meanwhile, hail, lightning, damaging winds and excessive rain continue to pose a risk in the area for Friday night.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek that the area of greatest concern for weekend travel is western Kansas and western Texas to western Tennessee and parts of Alabama.
"That's a zone where I think if you're traveling in the upcoming days, that's probably where you're going to have the most severe weather [on Saturday and Sunday]," he said.
Kines also warned that heavy rain is expected around the Ozarks that could pose a "life-threatening" flood risk to any campers or people enjoying outdoor activities in the area this weekend.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather, in a report: "Rounds of showers and thunderstorms that ramp up early during the extended holiday weekend from the central and southern Plains to the lower part of the Mississippi Valley will continue on Memorial Day.
"Most of the severe thunderstorm threat will be on the southern and eastern edge of the persistent downpour zone and will extend from central Texas to Georgia and South Carolina."
NWS, in a Friday morning forecast: "Severe thunderstorms are expected across portions of the central into southern Plains into Sunday, with large hail and severe gusts the main threats. The threat for heavy to excessive rainfall and possible flash flooding will return to the south-central U.S. Friday into this weekend."
What Happens Next
Many states will remain under a flood watch through the holiday. More storms are expected over the weekend and on Monday.
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