Risk of flood threat increases across Texas, South through Memorial Day weekend as heavy rain threat looms

Days of heavy rain and thunderstorms are targeting the South, with Texas in the bullseye, for potential flash flooding through Memorial Day. 

This multiday event is driven by moist air from the Gulf of America, which interacts with slow-moving disturbances in the upper atmosphere and a stalled front, fueling thunderstorm activity. 

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These thunderstorms are capable of producing intense rainfall rates over the same areas for multiple days, increasing the risk of flooding.

An initial round of thunderstorms soaked parts of Central Texas on Tuesday night.

Severe storms are expected to fire Wednesday afternoon over West Texas, particularly over Midland and Fort Stockton, with hail and damaging wind gusts expected to be the main hazards. 

NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a Level 2 out of 4 risk of flash flooding across West and Central Texas, including San Antonio on Wednesday.

By Thursday, North, Central and East Texas, as well as parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas are in the main threat zone. 

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Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi should be on alert for flash flooding, with a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk for most of the week. 

The FOX Forecast Center warned that in these zones, rainfall rates will be high, with 1 to 3 inches falling in a short time. 

With pockets of severe to extreme drought across the region, the rain is likely to lead to more flooding because the ground can't soak up all the moisture. 

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As multiple storm systems move over the region, rain totals will continue to rise. 

Through Memorial Day, upwards of 5 to 8 inches of rain could fall across pockets of East Texas, including Houston, and Louisiana. 

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This long-lived event is likely to last into the weekend, disrupting Memorial Day plans for millions across the South. 

Stay with FOX Weather as we continue to track the latest forecast.