Severe storm train to smash north-central US as chilling weather maps show path of destruction

A severe storm is set to tear its way across the North-Central US with warnings of hail, frequent lightning, flash flooding and even tornadoes .

AccuWeather meteorologists are warning of a weather pattern similar to the one from late June to mid-July, which caused flooding and damaging winds in parts of the northern Plains and Midwest.

A large heat dome, which is when a vast area of high pressure establishes at atmospheric levels during the summer, is expected to form over the southern Plains and Rockies next week

The northern and eastern tiers of the heat dome will see disturbances in the jet stream, becoming the focal point for thunderstorms and severe thunderstorm rounds.

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These storms may evolve into large thunderstorm complexes with powerful wind gusts, hail, frequent lightning, and flash flooding. In some instances, tornadoes can also occur.

When a particularly severe weather pattern develops over 400 miles or more with consistently high wind, a derecho may be declared. A derecho is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.

According to the National Weather Service: "Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage.

"By definition, if the wind damage swath extends more than 240 miles (about 400 kilometers) and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph (93 km/h) or greater along most of its length, then the event may be classified as a derecho." A derecho passed through parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana last week. There is potential for another derecho next week.

Severe thunderstorm periods can bring hurricane-force wind gusts and significant rainfall causing widespread damage and even major flight delays. Some of the most intense and unstable thunderstorm complexes can also trigger tornadoes.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson warned, "At this time, the zone from the eastern part of the Dakotas southeastward to Kentucky and Tennessee will be at risk for one or more of the thunderstorm complexes that can bring damaging and disruptive severe weather next week with the first possible as early as Monday."

In areas where the storms are most severe, there may be potential for long-lasting power outages and possible street flooding. The same jet stream pattern is predicted to transport smoke from Canadian wildfires into parts of the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest.

While most of the smoke will be high in the sky and appear as haze, there may be instances when the smoke descends close to the ground, affecting visibility and air quality.