Weather
“Laura” to impact parts of the southern Corn Belt
Laura is forecast to strengthen while crossing the Gulf of Mexico and could reach the coast of Texas or Louisiana late Wednesday or early Thursday as a major hurricane (sustained winds greater than 110 mph). Along portions of the Gulf Coast, a 7- to 11-foot storm surge can be expected when Laura moves inland.
In addition, high winds could cause extensive crop and infrastructural damage, while torrential rainfall (4 to 8 inches or more) could result in extensive flooding.
Once inland, Laura will weaken, although the interaction between the tropical system and a cold front could lead to heavy, late-week rainfall as far north as the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. In contrast, little or no rain will fall during the next 5 days across the western half of the U.S., as well as the western Corn Belt.
In addition, above-normal temperatures will dominate areas from the Pacific Coast to the Plains, although sharply cooler air will soon be lurking in western Canada and should arrive across the northern Plains and upper Midwest by month’s end.
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of below-normal temperatures in much of the northern half of the U.S., while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail along and near the Pacific Coast and across the nation’s southern tier.
Meanwhile, near- or below-normal rainfall west of the Rockies and in Texas should contrast with wetter-than-normal weather in most areas from the Plains to the Atlantic Coast.
