The central U.S. is in line for another round of heavy rain this week, this time from the remnants of Hurricane Polo, according to DTN Meteorologist John Baranick. The Category 5 Eastern Pacific hurricane is forecast to cross the Baja California Peninsula and northwestern Mexico, with its remnants reaching the Southern Plains by mid-week. The system is expected to merge with a cold front and move northeast through the Midwest later in the week. Early forecasts call for 2 to 4 inches of rain in a band from Texas and Kansas to the Ohio Valley, with heavier totals possible under embedded thunderstorms.

The rain could bring much-needed drought relief after months of record heat and dryness, but flash flooding is a serious risk where fields and pastures are already saturated. Severe storms with strong winds, tornadoes and potential flooding are also possible near and south of the storm’s track.

Read the full weather forecast from DTN.