Rain forecasted in key swing states on Election Day

Rain is threatening to disrupt Election Day in several key swing states.

A cold front is slicing through the middle of the country, bringing a threat of rain showers and thunderstorms from the Great Lakes and upper Midwest to the lower Mississippi Valley and parts of coastal Texas and Louisiana, The Weather Channel said.

Former President Trump and Vice President Harris have focused much of their home-stretch campaigning on seven critical battleground states, including Michigan and Wisconsin, where there’s a chance of rain and gusty winds Tuesday.

Rain showers are also possible in Florida and the southern Appalachians.

Though inclement weather may impact voter turnout in the battlegrounds, states including North Carolina and Georgia have already reported surpassing early voting records.

“Most studies show the impact is relatively small, but even small numbers can make a big difference in close election like this year’s presidential matchup,” The Weather Channel said in a release.

The storm will deliver needed rain to the Plains and Midwest but will also bring flooding. The National Weather Service has much of the state of Oklahoma under a flood warning, and the Rockies are under a winter weather advisory.

AccuWeather experts upgraded the potential for severe storms in the Midwest to a high risk. Damaging winds are expected Monday and last overnight, with hail and tornadoes also possible within the corridor.

Weather can deter voters who may see long lines at polling places on Election Day. However, early signs suggest many voters will not be deterred from casting their ballots this election.

Western North Carolina was devastated by extreme flooding after Hurricane Helene in late September, raising concerns about election access. But the State Board of Elections announced Monday that the 25 impacted counties had higher turnout in the early voting period than the rest of the state.