Flash flooding and severe thunderstorm threat across the Southern Plains this weekend

The southern and central United States will be the focus of unsettled weather this weekend, with flash flooding and severe thunderstorms threatening much of the Southern Plains.

Several periods of heavy rain will fall across the region through Monday, increasing the risk of flash flooding. Covering portions of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas, including cities such as Lubbock, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Wichita, Kansas; and Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms could flood many of these locations, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

By Monday, 4 to 8 inches of rain could fall in some locations, with the highest totals likely to fall across much of Oklahoma. In the coming days, Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, may experience widespread amounts of over half a foot of rain.

There is a chance for isolated severe thunderstorms to impact portions of the Southern Plains this weekend, including portions of the Texas Panhandle into southwestern Oklahoma through Saturday evening.

A tornado warning is in effect until 9 p.m. CT for portions of southeastern New Mexico and West Texas, including Carlsbad, New Mexico and Midland, Texas.

The main threats over the next 24 hours will be strong, potentially damaging wind gusts and hail, although one or two isolated brief tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

As of Sunday, the threat zone is concentrated across Abilene to Wichita Falls, Texas, and extends across much of Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City area.

The severe weather threat shifts eastward Monday, extending from northern Texas to western Arkansas and southern Missouri, including Dallas, Waco, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Springfield, Missouri.

Devastating wind gusts and some tornadoes are possible.

Temperature fluctuations in November

After a summery start to November on Friday, seasonally cool conditions have set in across much of the East this weekend. Highs will be in the 50s and 60s with plenty of sunshine for much of the region.

However, further strong warming is on the cards next week, as further temperature fluctuations are expected in the eastern third of the country in the first week of November.

The weather looks great for the New York City Marathon on Sunday.

Warmer temperatures will return to the Midwest and Northeast early next week, and temperatures will return to warmth across the East on Tuesday for Election Day.

Afternoon temperatures on Election Day will be in the 70s from the Ohio Valley to much of the Northeast, including cities like Cincinnati, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; Scranton, Pa.; New York City; Hartford, Conn.; Philadelphia; and Washington DC

Daily record highs are expected in parts of the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and parts of the Northeast on Wednesday.