The central and eastern United States are bracing for a series of severe weather events, including floods and strong winds, expected to persist into early next week. Millions across the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast are in the path of multiple rounds of intense thunderstorms fueled by an active jet stream that marks the boundary of a shifting heat dome.

On Sunday, the most immediate threat is focused on the area from southwestern New England to the Ohio Valley. The afternoon and evening hours are expected to bring intense thunderstorms capable of producing flash flooding and strong downburst winds. Major highways could see disruptions, and flight delays are likely in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Adding to the concern is the potential formation of a large, organized cluster of storms over North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota on Sunday. This system is predicted to move southeast overnight, potentially impacting the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The primary threat from this system includes damaging wind gusts that could reach up to 90 mph, along with the possibility of hail propelled by these high-speed winds.

Stormy conditions are forecast to continue into Monday and Tuesday, affecting a wide area from the northern Plains to the Midwest and extending southeast. A rare high-risk designation for severe storms has been issued for Monday, with thunderstorms expected to develop in parts of Montana and the Dakotas during the late afternoon and evening. These storms are then anticipated to merge into a powerful system overnight.

As this system moves through the Dakotas into Minnesota and Iowa, widespread damaging wind gusts between 70 and 80 mph are likely, with the most intense gusts potentially reaching 100 mph. In addition to the strong winds, the region could also experience flash flooding, large hail, and even isolated tornadoes.

By Tuesday, the storm activity is expected to shift slightly south and east due to a strong cold front moving in from central Canada. This shift may increase the risk of thunderstorms across a corridor stretching from eastern Wyoming to western Wisconsin and Illinois, where flash flooding and gusty winds remain a concern, although the storms may be less intense than the previous day.

Looking ahead, the push of cooler air is expected to gradually suppress storm development in the Great Lakes and Northeast later in the week, signaling a potential end to the active storm pattern in those regions. However, this same weather pattern could also increase the chances of thunderstorms in parts of the Central and Eastern U.S. as the week progresses. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed, monitor weather updates, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.