A persistent pattern of slow-moving thunderstorms will track across the central and eastern United States through the end of the week, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall, travel disruptions, and localized flash flooding. This setup, often referred to as “training,” can drop several inches of rain over the same locations within a short time frame. The immediate area of concern through Thursday includes parts of the Plains and Midwest, extending into major metro areas such as Chicago. Downpours are projected to persist across the central Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Ohio Valley heading into the weekend. Although such systems typically feature lower wind speeds, they carry the capacity to produce extreme rainfall amounts and escalate the overall flood threat.