Severe weather expected on Election Day in several key states

Chances of severe weather are looming over certain regions across the U.S. next week, with the possibility of thunderstorms on Election Day, potentially impacting voter turnout in key races.

Parts of the Northeast have seen a long stretch of dry, warm weather in the recent days, which could extend through the weekend, AccuWeather reported . But, come Tuesday’s elections, storms are predicted to roll in.

CNN reported parts of Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Texas and Ohio could see wet weather on Election Day. In the Midwest and Plains, the rain could be accompanied by gusty winds.

There is also a possibility of rain across portions of Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, according to AccuWeather.

In Kansas , incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall (R) is facing a challenge from Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton in an increasingly competitive race. Two election handicappers, Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Cook Political Report , recently shifted the race to a “toss-up.”

Michigan’s tight Senate race between GOP Rep. Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed (D) has consistently made headlines this election cycle, with one recent poll leaning the contest toward the Democrat.

In north Texas, the National Weather Service’s Forth Worth office forecasts a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Nov. 3. And in Austin, the service a similar possibility, listing a 60 percent chance of precipitation as of late October.

Texas is home to the neck-to-neck Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). The gubernatorial contest between incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Democrat Gina Hinojosa has also garnered attention, as President Trump has made multiple stops in the Lone Star State bolstering both Abbott and Hinojosa. Nonpartisan election forecaster Decision Desk HQ gives the incumbent a 68 percent chance of victory.

AccuWeather said thunderstorms with “disruptive downpours” are expected to spread into the s outheast ern U.S. this weekend but will “move away from the southern Atlantic Seaboard by Tuesday.” Atlanta, Charlotte and Miami may not see any long-lasting rain, the report said.