South, Northeast Stuck In A Stormy Pattern With Possible Severe Weather, Flooding This Week

Weather In The Week Ahead: 4 Things To Watch

This start of this week is shaping up to be stormy and soaking across parts of the South and Northeast, as the weather pattern gets ‘stuck’ over the area. A blocking pattern, known as an omega block, has developed across the U.S. and is the driving force behind possible severe weather and flash flooding.

If you trace the path of the jet stream across the U.S. from the West to the East, you will trace out the Greek letter omega (Ω).

This configuration blocks the typical west-to-east flow of the jet stream, much like a large rock in a small stream forces the flow of water around it. That's why meteorologists call it a blocking pattern, and it can lead to pretty significant weather to millions.

Severe Weather, Heavy Rain Forecast

Through Early Tuesday Morning: Parts of central and West Texas will be at risk for severe weather, including mainly damaging winds and hail. Places like Fort Worth, Austin, Abilene and San Antonio will be at risk for severe weather. The threat for significant flash flooding will also be an issue in West Texas, because of the rain continuing over the same areas for multiple days in a row.

There will be a few storms firing up across the mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast, as rounds of scattered showers and storms continue to impact the region. Because of the relentless rain, the potential for flash flooding will remain, especially near the New York tri-state area.

Also, flooding will be a significant concern across the South, as days of rain heighten the flash flooding potential. The main threat area Tuesday and Tuesday night will be eastern Texas into Louisiana, southern Arkansas and central Mississippi, however, anywhere from the Gulf Coast to the Southern Plains will be at risk.

Showers and storms will also linger in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

On Wednesday, the chance of severe weather will decrease, but local heavy rain could continue to produce a flash flood threat near the northern Gulf Coast.

By the latter part of the week, this blocking pattern will eventually begin to break down, but locally heavy rain may linger near the Gulf Coast, then into parts of Florida and the Southeast coast. Make sure to check back often for updates to the forecast.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.