Houston, San Antonio and Austin at risk of flash flooding Wednesday
Much of south Texas, including Houston, was bracing for heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding Wednesday.
Southeast Texas will face a moderate risk of excessive rainfall Wednesday, and the National Weather Service predicted that some areas will get more than 5 inches of rain.
"Residents and visitors throughout this region are advised to pay close attention to the forecast, especially if you live within a flood-prone region," the weather service said Tuesday.
Much of the areas from south Texas to northern Louisiana were under a flood watch on Wednesday.
Parts of the Central Plains can also expect severe thunderstorms Wednesday, according to AccuWeather.
In the western U.S., cities in California and Oregon are experiencing cooler than average temperatures this week, before things start to heat up this weekend.
Huge swath of Texas will get heavy rain
Several of the Lone Star State's biggest cities, including Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Austin, are expected to get pounded by rain both Wednesday and Thursday, AccuWeather forecasters said.
The outlet predicted some localized areas could get up to 8-12 inches of rain; San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country will possibly be inundated with the most precipitation.
Thunderstorms possible in Central Plains
Rocky Mountain cities such as Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming, will have a risk of severe thunderstorms Wednesday, the Storm Prediction Center said. "The most intense storms are expected over northeast Coloradoto its border area with Kansas and Nebraska," the SPC said.
The National Weather Service said Tuesday that it predicts about 1-3 inches of rainfall in the region through Thursday.
The region is at some risk of damaging wind and hail, AccuWeather forecasters said, and there's also a low risk of flooding and tornadoes.
Cooler temps continue along West Coast
Major West Coast cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and farther inland such as Las Vegas, Boise and Salt Lake City, are seeing temperatures that are 5-15 degrees cooler than average for this time of year, AccuWeather reported.
But as soon as Thursday, a change in the jet stream will lead the same region to experience unseasonably warm temperatures.