Central and eastern US pattern change to bring much-needed rain, but also severe storms

Following weeks of dry weather, a much-needed drink of water is coming to a large part of the central and eastern U.S. this week as multiple storms move east, but it will come at a cost, warn AccuWeather meteorologists.

The rounds of rain will be accompanied by a risk of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding, threats more commonly associated with the summertime rather than the first few days of fall.

"A series of slow-moving storms coupled with moisture flowing northward from the Gulf will lead to several rounds of rain this week across the Midwest, Mississippi and Ohio Valleys," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.

Much-needed rain comes at the risk of flooding

While the threat for damaging thunderstorms will impact a few, the rain will come for most from the Plai