Increased Storm Threat Thursday
A corridor of severe storms today will precede an outbreak of dangerous storms on Thursday that will produce widespread tornadoes across the Plains.

The Severe Weather Center reports the thunderstorms from the mid-Atlantic to the central Plains Through tonight, the storms will produce damaging winds, hail and flooding downpours. There is the potential for tornadoes, especially over the central Plains.

Tornado and storm watches and warnings are in effect from the Missouri Valley and to the mid-Atlantic states.

The thunderstorms are being fueled by the clash of two distinctly different air masses. Blazing heat and humidity is gripping the southern tier of the nation, while cooler air is found to the north.

The Midwest Regional News story warns that a more widespread outbreak of tornadoes will take shape over the country's midsection on Thursday. A potent storm and the associated jet stream emerging from the Rockies will give rise to the dangerous severe weather.

The threat for Thursday's severe weather lies from the central Plains to the upper Mississippi Valley. Wichita, Omaha and Des Moines are amongst the cities in the forecast path of the storms.

Residents in the threat zone on Thursday are urged to use today to review tornado safety procedures. Thursday's severe weather could significantly threaten lives and property with large and long-tracking tornadoes possible.

A scenario similar to today sparked an outbreak of severe weather across the Ohio Valley and central Plains on Tuesday. Over a dozen tornadoes were sighted. One twister heavily damaged and destroyed several homes around Moscow, Ind.

A man suffered a broken foot when strong thunderstorm winds damaged homes and trees near Bedford, Ind. The Associated Press reported lightning struck a petroleum storage tank in downtown Kansas City, Kan., igniting a massive fire.

The South Regional News story states the heat and humidity providing fuel for the severe weather will encompass more of the South today. Several degrees will be added to Tuesday's high temperatures across North Carolina, Virginia and the Ohio Valley.

The heat will continue to build over the East through the weekend. Temperatures and humidity will rise on Thursday across the lower Great Lakes. The arrival of the heat will get delayed over the Northeast, thanks to a cold front currently dropping down from eastern Canada.

The East Regional News story states the cooler air following the front will eventually give way to the heat over the northern mid-Atlantic on Friday and New England this weekend. Temperatures will soar into the lower 90s as far north as southern New England on Saturday.

The heat bubble is already gripping the southern Plains and Desert Southwest, according to the Southwest Regional News story. These two regions will also have to endure winds gusting past 45 mph at times today. The high winds have prompted the issuance of wind advisories.

The strongest wind gusts will be reserved for the afternoon and evening hours across the Desert Southwest. Motorists should be prepared for blowing dust to dangerously lower visibility in a short period of time. Red flag warnings are in effect to warn residents of the elevated fire danger that also exists.

North of the strong winds, the storm will spread showers and thunderstorms across the Rockies today. The West Regional News story states that the powerful jet stream accompanying the storm could spark heavier thunderstorms across eastern Nevada and Utah.

Enough cold air and moisture will be in place tonight and Thursday that snow will fall in the higher elevations of the central Rockies. Snow levels will plummet to 6,000 feet tonight in eastern Nevada and Utah.

High Temperatures For Selected Cities:
City Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. City Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.
Los Angeles 71 76 80 77 Phoenix 100 94 102 103
Dallas 96 94 92 91 Denver 70 57 78 88
Omaha 83 84 82 84 Minneapolis 68 72 72 78
Chicago 78 88 87 80 Detroit 74 88 90 82
Cincinnati 87 92 92 85 Nashville 92 92 92 90
Raleigh 96 96 96 96 Atlanta 94 96 89 93
Washington, D.C. 86 86 91 97 Philadelphia 80 77 88 90
New York City 73 75 84 90 Boston 66 65 74 76


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