Breakfast Brief - Blocking pattern brings dangerous rain

Active weather continues across the southern Plains and into the central Gulf Coast as a blocking pattern brings rounds of rain. Severe storms and flash flooding are concerns. The Breakfast Brief is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

A blocking pattern is in place, with two low-pressure systems bringing more wet weather to the Plains and Northeast. This is called an "omega block" and will bring the threat of flash flooding to parts of the South today.

The WeatherRadar shows showers and storms firing up across the southern Plains, with heavy downpours expected from the Rockies to the central Gulf Coast. A severe threat is in place for central Texas. Damaging wind, hail and isolated tornadoes are possible in cities like Waco, Dallas, Houston and Austin, Texas. A few isolated strong storms may develop from Rochester, N.Y., to Scranton, Penn.

Flash flooding is a significant concern today across the central Gulf Coast, where 5 to 7 inches of rain are expected through tomorrow morning. Remember to turn around, don't drown, if waters rise on the road.

Today, above-average temperatures will prevail across the Pacific Northwest and Upper Midwest. Areas socked in with rain, including the Rockies, the southern Plains and the Ohio River Valley, will remain cooler than average.

When severe weather is in your forecast, you can be prepared. Follow along with these tools to stay weather-aware.