Central US faces daily severe storms with hail, wind and tornado risks
Severe thunderstorms are expected nearly daily across the central U.S., bringing risks of large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes, with the potential for peak days to be Sunday and Monday..
Storm chaser video shows a funnel cloud, uprooted tree, hail and street flooding in Madera, California, on April 21. Two tornadoes were reported near Fresno.
Thunderstorms are forecast to develop and turn severe on a near-daily basis across parts of the central United States into early next week.
At first glance, the situation does not appear to be as volatile as last week for the Upper Midwest, when last Friday brought 80 confirmed tornadoes alone and there were multiple incidents of flooding. This week, and especially during the upcoming weekend, the situation could be more volatile for areas farther south over portions of the Plains and the Mississippi Valley.
The forecast is subject to change as new data becomes available and time draws closer to each daily event. Even small disturbances in the atmosphere can trigger significant outbreaks of intense thunderstorms in late April and early May due to Gulf moisture, warm sunshine and a strong, persistent jet stream, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.
AccuWeather’s severe weather classification is impact-driven and differs from the Storm Prediction Center’s system, with a focus on clarity for the general public.
Multiple storms packing large hail and damaging wind gusts are likely on most days into next week. On a few days, the strongest storms could spawn multiple tornadoes.
Frequent downpours will disrupt outdoor plans and slow travel, while sudden lightning strikes will pose dangers for anyone spending time outside.
Thunderstorms across eastern Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota Wednesday brought damaging wind gusts of up to 76 mph.
Severe storm coverage increases Thursday
On Thursday, severe weather will expand across the Great Plains and into parts of the Mississippi Valley.
Spotty severe thunderstorms will stretch roughly 2,000 miles from Oklahoma to parts of Ontario, Canada. A more concentrated zone of severe weather is expected from western Iowa and southeastern Nebraska to western Missouri, central and eastern Kansas and into far northeastern Oklahoma.
The storms Thursday and Thursday night will carry the potential for damaging hail and wind, as well as a few tornadoes.
Downpours, pockets of severe storms expected Friday
From later this week through early next week, a broad zone of showers and thunderstorms is forecast across the Central and Southern states. Within this zone, localized flooding downpours and some drought relief are foreseen.
On Friday, the severe weather zone is projected to extend from northeastern Texas to southern Illinois and southern Indiana, as well as the western parts of Tennessee and Kentucky to northern and central Mississippi.
Hail and strong wind gusts will be the main threats.
Building severe weather threat Saturday
On Saturday, severe weather is forecast to focus over portions of north-central and northeastern Texas to central and northeastern Kansas, far western Missouri, western Arkansas and the northwestern corner of Louisiana.
For some areas, this will be the second day in a row with at least some severe weather threat.
A more concentrated zone of thunderstorms is anticipated from northeastern Oklahoma to part of southern Kansas. A few tornadoes are possible in this concentrated zone.
Major severe weather potential for Sunday, Sunday night
The risk of severe weather is likely to grow again in coverage and intensity Sunday and Sunday night.
At this time, the risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast to extend from northeastern Texas to southeastern Nebraska. A more concentrated zone with large hail, powerful wind gusts and tornadoes is anticipated in eastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, southwestern Missouri and western Arkansas.
Some of the severe thunderstorms that develop during Sunday afternoon may carry on well after dark, raising further risks to the general public. The zone of severe weather has the potential to expand to the northeast and east Sunday night as well.
Severe weather likely to persist early next week
On Monday, the risk of severe thunderstorms will shift farther east, focusing on the Mississippi Valley and the Mississippi River delta region. As with Saturday and Sunday, the intensity and coverage of the storms is likely to grow as the period draws closer.
As storms develop and approach major airports, ground stops and flight cancellations are possible. Motorists are urged to monitor local weather conditions, as severe storms, some with tornadoes, often cross highways. Some of the strongest storms may occur after dark, which will add to the danger.
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