El tiempo tempestuoso podría golpear estados clave el día de las elecciones, los meteorólogos predicen

Severe weather threatens to disrupt voting in several pivotal U.S. states on Election Day, according to meteorological forecasts. A line of thunderstorms is projected to stretch from Texas to Missouri on Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall to the Upper Midwest and strong winds to the Plains. These conditions coincide with hotly contested races in key battlegrounds, raising concerns among officials and observers about potential impacts on voter turnout. Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, described the central United States as likely the most active region during the election period. He noted that while specific timing may shift, the general movement of the storm system from west to east is well established in current models. In north-central Texas, a critical area for the U.S. Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, forecasters anticipate severe weather elements such as high winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes. Further east, the Plains states of Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska face hazardous wind conditions. Clint Alexander, a NWS forecaster based in Goodland, Kansas, predicted sustained winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts potentially exceeding 50 miles per hour. Such speeds could impede travel along Interstate 70, the primary east-west route through the state. Kansas has emerged as a surprising contest for the Senate seat, with polls indicating a tight race between incumbent Republican Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton. In Iowa, where close races exist for both governor and the U.S. Senate, conditions are expected to be exceptionally wet. Justin Schultz, the lead forecaster for the NWS office in Davenport, described the outlook as dreary, with significant rainfall falling directly on Election Day. Although no flooding is currently predicted, atmospheric moisture levels measured as precipitable water could reach record highs for this time of year. Schultz indicated that the forecast for Iowa would become clearer over the upcoming weekend. Parts of the Northeast have recently experienced a prolonged stretch of dry, warm weather, a pattern that may persist through the weekend before the central storms arrive. Forecasters remain confident in the broad trajectory of the incoming system despite minor uncertainties regarding the exact positioning of the thunderstorm line. The convergence of intense political competition and adverse weather creates a complex scenario for election administration teams in these states. Candidates and local officials are monitoring the situation closely, aware that environmental factors can influence the ability of voters to reach polling places. The coming days will provide further clarity as numerical models refine their predictions for the Tuesday election cycle.