CNN
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A series of storms will hit the US this week, some of which could help bring much-needed relief to areas struggling with drought.

Lingering storms across the Southern Plains — a region made up of Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas — are expected to shift northward throughout the day Monday, bringing widespread rainfall across the Midwest and Central Plains.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of western and central Oklahoma and parts of northern Texas until 10 a.m. Monday. More than 2 million people are under surveillance from this tornado, including Oklahoma City residents.

There have been more than 1,700 tornado reports this year, far above the average of 1,274 so far.

The National Weather Service also issued flood warnings in parts of Texas and Oklahoma during the day Monday and in Louisiana starting Monday evening.

Rainfall of 1 to 4 inches is expected across the Plains, while the New Orleans area could see 3 to 5 inches with isolated chances of totals over 5 inches.

Cities including Oklahoma City experienced one of the driest Octobers on record. However, in a climate with more extreme weather conditions, November has become one of the wettest on record for the city.

Nearly 12 inches of precipitation was recorded in Oklahoma City this month, making it the fourth wettest November on record with 12 days left until December.

While cities like Atlanta and Memphis could see rain by mid-week, cities in the Northeast, including New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Boston, will have to wait until the end of the week for their chance of precipitation.

Many of these cities have had one of the driest Octobers and are in dire need of rain.

And in the West

A separate line of storms will also hit the West, bringing rain showers in the valleys and heavy snowfall in the mountains.

Winter weather warnings are in effect for seven western states — Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico — while up to a foot of snow is expected in the Cascades and northern Rockies.

The strongest storm in the West will begin Tuesday, with heavy rain and snowfall expected in the mountains. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, parts of the Cascades could see snowfalls of 2 to 3 feet.

Parts of Oregon, Washington and Northern California will also experience heavy rainfall at lower elevations. From Tuesday evening through Saturday, these states could see 6 to 14 inches of rain, with isolated totals around the King Range possibly reaching 21 inches.

This rainfall can cause rivers to rise rapidly and can also cause flash floods and mudslides.