The Severe Storms Shift Toward the Ohio Valley
The deadly weather will continue overnight, but the threat of tornadoes will lessen with time into the early morning hours. After a deadly Saturday across Mississippi, the area from the Ohio Valley to the central Gulf Coast will remain at risk for the potentially damaging thunderstorms Saturday night.
It was only one thunderstorm that crossed Mississippi, producing a family of large, deadly tornadoes. We called that type of storm a "Supercell" thunderstorm. AccuWeather.com meteorologist estimate that at least a a dozen tornadoes were produce by that single supercell thunderstorm, including the tornado that struck Yazoo City.
Motorists traveling on Interstates 24, 40, 59 and 65 will also be threatened.
Additional destructive tornadoes could touch down within the zone highlighted above. Tremendous loss of life and damage may result if just one of the twisters tears through a community.
Evident from Saturday afternoon, tornadoes are capable of causing severe damage to homes and businesses. The strongest twisters can even level buildings, while leaving others close by standing. Motorists are not safe as tornadoes can blow vehicles off roadways.
The fact that darkness hides approaching tornadoes and people may sleep through storm-related warnings will make any tornado Saturday night more life-threatening than the ones from earlier Saturday.
In addition to producing tornadoes, the strongest thunderstorms Saturday night will be capable of unleashing damaging winds, pounding hail, flooding downpours and frequent lightning.
Residents and visitors across the South are urged to keep abreast of this dangerous severe weather event. Be sure to seek shelter immediately if a storm-related warning is issued for your area or the stretch of roadway you are traveling on.
Related to the Story:
Severe Thunderstorm Threat Shifts East Sunday
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 83° | Fort Myers, FL |
| Low | -18° | Flag Island, MN |
| Precip | 1.60" | West Palm Beach, FL |
WeatherWhys®
The "Dead of Winter," the one-month period when normal temperatures reach their lowest levels, has come to an end for much of the United States. Some people may find it odd that the "Dead of Winter" does not encompass the darkest day of the year (the first day of winter). That is due to a seasonal lag in temperatures. More heat continues to be lost than is gained from the start of winter until this time of year.
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