Potentially violent storms, tornadoes to eye southern US Friday to Sunday

Potentially violent storms, including the risk of tornadoes, will target the southern Plains on Friday. Damaging storms will continue to march eastward, reaching the lower Mississippi Valley on Saturday.

The possible severe weather outbreak will follow severe thunderstorms across the the Midwest on Thursday.

The late-week severe weather will develop as a vigorous storm sweeps out of the Rockies and toward the Mississippi Valley.

"Strong to severe thunderstorms will occur with the whole gamut of impacts ranging from damaging winds and large hail to localized flooding rain and a few tornadoes," according to AccuWeather Lead Storm Warning Meteorologist Eddie Walker.

"The exact placement and timing of the severe weather will depend on the speed and track of the parent storm system, as well as the amount of sunshine and daytime heating as the storm moves along," Walker said.

The first severe storms with the event may erupt as early as Thursday night in western Oklahoma and northwestern Texas. These storms will carry the risk of large hail and isolated flash flooding.

On Friday, it appears the main threat for severe weather will extend across south-central and southeastern Oklahoma to western Arkansas and north-central Texas. This could be the first big day in terms of the widespread nature of dangerous storms during the event.

"The greatest risk of tornadoes may be centered along the Red River," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rossio.

Heavy rain will occur just north of the severe thunderstorms area across parts of northern Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as southern Kansas and southwestern Missouri. Flooding is possible in these areas.

This weekend, the severe weather will shift farther east and could be every bit as dangerous as the threat extends into more heavily-populated areas.

"On Saturday, the threat of severe storms will focus on the lower Mississippi Valley," Walker said.

On Sunday, the extent and intensity of severe weather may be reduced by a wedge of cool air near and just east of the southern Appalachians.

Some severe storms may drift to the western slopes of the Appalachians prior to dawn on Sunday. More storms may erupt farther to the east across the Southern states, where the air is warmer during Sunday afternoon.

If the cool wedge fails to form or erodes quickly, then severe weather is possible throughout the I-77, I-85 and lower I-81 corridors.

People living in or traveling through these threat zones, and especially those with outdoor plans, should monitor the weather situation.

Depending on the severity of the situation, not only is there a possibility of major disruptions to travel and outdoor activities, but also a significant threat to lives and property.

"Our long-range team has been monitoring the elevated risk for severe weather for this particular system since early last week," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, adding that people should pay close attention to the risks.

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