A Rare Weather Pattern Is Trapping These Cities This Week With Days Of Rain
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07223240/rain-map-5.4-150x150.pngA rare atmospheric pattern known as an “omega block” is setting the stage for prolonged periods of rain across large parts of the U.S. this week. Named after the Greek letter, an omega block is a weather pattern that results from a ridge of high pressure becoming trapped between two low pressure systems. The configuration causes the jet stream to buckle into a Ω shape, blocking the normal west-to-east flow of weather across the continental U.S. and causing weather systems to linger in place for days.
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This week, a strong ridge of high pressure has formed over the northern Plains, flanked by two low-pressure systems over the Ohio Valley and the West Coast. The eastern ridge is funneling moisture from the Atlantic into a rain zone in the Northeast, while the western trough is drawing Gulf moisture to large swaths of Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. While heavy rains could alleviate ongoing drought conditions, the National Weather Service has also issued several flash flood warnings. A closer look at the data reveals the cities that are about to get days of heavy precipitation.
To determine the cities that are going to get the most rain this week, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on precipitation forecasts from the NOAA. Cities were ranked based on cumulative forecast precipitation for the period May 5 to 7, 2024. Supplemental data on forecast average temperature is also from the NOAA. Only cities with at least 25,000 residents were considered.
25. Beaumont, TX
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 7.7 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 72.4°F
- Total population: 114,573
24. Jackson, TN
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 8.9 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 59.4°F
- Total population: 67,993
23. Jonesboro, AR
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 9.1 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 60.7°F
- Total population: 78,379
22. Little Rock, AR
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 9.4 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 62.5°F
- Total population: 202,218
21. Wichita, KS
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 10.1 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 60.7°F
- Total population: 395,951
20. Huntsville, AL
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 10.5 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 59.2°F
- Total population: 215,025
19. North Little Rock, AR
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 10.9 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 62.7°F
- Total population: 64,454
18. Madison, AL
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 10.9 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 59.0°F
- Total population: 56,967
17. Decatur, AL
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 11.5 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 60.0°F
- Total population: 57,525
16. Mobile, AL
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 12.1 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 69.8°F
- Total population: 186,316
15. Metairie, LA
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 12.7 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 74.4°F
- Total population: 140,046
14. Kenner, LA
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 12.8 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 74.5°F
- Total population: 65,785
13. Southaven, MS
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 13.5 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 61.6°F
- Total population: 54,908
12. New Orleans, LA
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 14.4 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 74.1°F
- Total population: 380,408
11. Collierville, TN
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 15.2 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 61.7°F
- Total population: 51,170
10. Memphis, TN
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 15.3 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 62.3°F
- Total population: 630,027
9. Hoover, AL
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 15.5 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 61.7°F
- Total population: 91,995
8. Lafayette, LA
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 16.3 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 71.4°F
- Total population: 121,706
7. Gulfport, MS
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 16.7 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 70.6°F
- Total population: 72,524
6. Bartlett, TN
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 17.0 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 61.6°F
- Total population: 57,481
5. Birmingham, AL
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 17.1 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 61.3°F
- Total population: 200,431
4. Tuscaloosa, AL
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 18.3 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 62.8°F
- Total population: 105,797
3. Lake Charles, LA
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 18.8 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 71.8°F
- Total population: 82,430
2. Baton Rouge, LA
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 23.2 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 70.5°F
- Total population: 225,500
1. Jackson, MS
- Forecast precipitation, May 5-7: 25.1 millimeters
- Forecast average, May 5-7: 65.6°F
- Total population: 153,271
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