AccuWeather.com

By Eric Reese, Meteorologist

May 24, 2011; 12:42 AM ET

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"AccuWeather.com Meteorologists are forecasting a significant tornado outbreak which could include 50 or more tornado reports..."

The tornado threat will increase across the Plains today as another round of potentially deadly storms take shape.

AccuWeather.com Meteorologists are forecasting a significant tornado outbreak today which could include 50 or more tornado reports, most of which could occur across eastern Oklahoma and eastern Kansas.

The greatest threat of tornadic activity lies in the corridor from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Wichita, Kan., to already hard-hit Joplin, Mo.

This also includes the cities of Dallas, Texas, Topeka, Kan., and Tulsa, Okla.

Any tornadoes that develop will have the to potential to be long-lived and long tracked, even more so than the tornado that destroyed Joplin.

Thunderstorms will first erupt during the afternoon hours across central Kansas, central Oklahoma and north-central Texas. These thunderstorms will quickly turn severe, producing potentially devastating tornadoes.

Although these storms will occur during the day, tornadoes may still be difficult to see. As was the case with the Joplin tornado, any of these twisters that become wrapped up with rain will be tough to distinguish.

Besides tornadoes, these storms will also bring large and damaging hail and torrential downpours which could lead to flash flooding.

Travel could also be restricted due to debris on Interstates 70, 40, 44 and 35.

These storms will then track eastward late on Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night bringing the threat for destructive tornadoes into the middle-Mississippi River Valley for the nighttime hours.

Residents should be advised that tornadoes that occur at night are the most dangerous due to the simple fact that most people are asleep. Persons are urged to keep tuned to local media outlets during this severe weather outbreak and have a plan of action prepared should severe weather strike.

This region has been hit hard over the last several days. On Sunday, a deadly EF-4 tornado struck Joplin, Mo., while numerous areas had hail and damaging winds on Monday.

Keep checking back to the AccuWeather.com Severe Weather Center for the latest watches and warnings.