Stormy Father's Day may unfold for the western Gulf Coast, northern tier of US

While some wonderful weather for outdoor activities is in store for a large part of the nation, stormy conditions are forecast for parts of Texas and Louisiana and from Montana and Wyoming to northern Michigan on Father's Day.

Portion of Gulf Coast states at risk for flooding

How nasty the weather becomes along the western half of the Gulf Coast will depend on the nature and forward speed of an area of tropical moisture.

This moisture may be anything from just slow-moving showers and thunderstorms to a concentrated area of torrential rainfall associated with a tropical depression or tropical storm, according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.

Either way, enough rain is likely to fall to hinder outdoor plans and travel from coastal and central Texas to much of Louisiana. Downpours may also extend across parts of Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Rainfall may be heavy enough to cause flooding problems.

Downpours to drench part of US northern tier

Farther north, drenching showers and locally gusty thunderstorms are likely from the northern Rockies to parts of the northern Plains and the upper Great Lakes region.

Some of the rainfall over the northern Rockies and High Plains may be associated with Bud.

"Rainfall over part of the northern tier is likely to be locally heavy and may lead to isolated flooding problems,"

according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.

"In addition to forcing cooking operations and a family day out to the indoors, some of the thunderstorms on the southern edge of this rain area could be heavy, gusty and locally severe,"

Anderson said.

Warmth to reach the East as the Central states heat up

In a vast area in between, people from the central Plains to much of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, lower Great Lakes, interior South, mid-Atlantic and New England can expect dry weather and at least some sunshine on Father's Day.

"It's going to be a pretty warm to hot Father's Day from the central Plains to parts of the mid-Atlantic,"

Anderson said.

It will feel like the middle of the summer in Kansas City, Chicago, Cincinnati, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. Highs in much of this zone will range from the middle 80s to the middle 90s F. Air conditioners and fans will be put to good use.

"Along parts of the Atlantic coast, a sea breeze may hold temperatures back a bit,"

Anderson said.

Spotty afternoon thundershowers may cause a brief disruption to outdoor plans in the Southeast states, away from the tropical concern. However, even where spotty storms are possible, much of the day will be free of rain in cities such as Atlanta and Orlando, Florida.

People spending time outdoors in the Southeast and northern tier should keep an eye out for rapidly changing weather conditions. Move indoors and get off the water at the first rumble of thunder.

Remember to drink plenty of water when partaking in vigorous physical activity during hot weather.

Much of West to be split with spotty storms, drought concerns

In much of the Southwest and the Pacific coast, dry weather is forecast on Father's Day. This is in the wake of spotty storms and rainfall from Bud over the Four Corners states.

There may still be ill-effects from spotty downpours and gusty storms from Bud, especially in Colorado. People traveling through this region, especially on secondary roads, should be on the lookout for rocks and other debris, where recent storms caused heavy rainfall in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

Dry weather is forecast for most of the West Coast beaches, despite the usual morning low clouds this time of the year.

However, not all of the Pacific Coast states may stay dry. There is a chance of a stray afternoon thunderstorm over the mountains from the northern Sierra Nevada through the Cascades.

Those taking a Father's Day hike in the mountains of the West should immediately be prepared to seek shelter in a low-lying area. Having a plan and checking the forecast frequently is advised.

Otherwise, outdoor enthusiasts in the West should take precautions when using open flames such as campfires and barbecue grills due to the ongoing risk of wildfire ignition and spread.