Weather

Tropical Storm Michael is expected to strengthen Monday as it tracks north into the southern Gulf of Mexico. The storm may become a hurricane before reaching the northeastern Gulf Coast around midweek, bringing flooding rain, damaging winds and storm surge flooding.

A passing cold front will usher cooler air across New England and eastern New York state. Clouds and drizzle will linger in many areas.

Warmth and humidity will make it feel more like late summer than early October from the South to the Great Lakes and the Mid-Atlantic states. Showers and thunderstorms may dot the Gulf Coast as waves build offshore.

Rain and thunderstorms stretching from the upper Great Lakes to the southern Plains will separate steamy air to the south from chilly air over the northern Plains and Rockies. With the ground already saturated, downpours across the central and southern Plains could cause flash flooding. Severe thunderstorms may also develop.

Snow will fall from the northern High Plains to the Rocky Mountains. A storm will move into the Northwest, with showers. The Southwest should remain dry.

Heavy rainfall may result in flooding Monday and Tuesday from West Texas to southern Minnesota. Road closures and harvest delays are expected as rainfall surpasses 6 inches in spots. The rain should ease drought conditions in the southern Plains.