Central US to face renewed threat for severe storms, tornadoes
Storms with damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes will take hold across portions of the central United States this week as a severe weather outbreak looms for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Deadly tornadoes shredded buildings in Union City and Three Rivers, Michigan, on March 6, creating these catastrophic scenes.
After a multiday risk of severe thunderstorms sprang to life across the central United States much of last week, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that more severe weather is on the way, especially centered on Tuesday and Wednesday across parts of the Great Plains, Mississippi and the Ohio Valley.
"Numerous severe weather incidents will be possible over multiple states, ranging from damaging wind gusts to significant hail and perhaps a couple of dozen tornadoes spanning Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "This severe weather outbreak will begin with some severe weather on Tuesday in the Interstate 20 and 40 corridors in the Mississippi Valley and end with locally severe storms in part of the Southeast states on Thursday."
A potent storm that will track across the Plains and Great Lakes into midweek will interact with clashing warm Gulf air and cooler Pacific and Canadian air with plenty of moisture in place. This will set the stage for severe thunderstorms from Texas to the Ohio Valley Tuesday and Wednesday.
"This could be the largest outbreak of severe weather so far this year," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.
Individuals are urged to have multiple ways to receive warnings and to have a plan in place, as severe thunderstorms could continue into the night, including the potential for nocturnal tornadoes. Having a pair of closed-toe shoes, a flashlight and charged electronic devices nearby before going to sleep each night are some ways to be prepared ahead of the severe thunderstorm risk.
The risk of flash flooding will also accompany the severe thunderstorm risk across much of the Plains and Ohio Valley after numerous rounds of storms during the first week of March saturated the ground. Levels on some rivers and streams in the region could also rise as a result of the stormy stretch.
Risk for severe storms Monday ahead of anticipated outbreak
Thunderstorms are expected across portions of Texas into Alabama and western Tennessee Monday and Monday night. While these thunderstorms are not expected to reach the same magnitude that is expected to occur Tuesday and Wednesday, there is a zone from Arkansas to Alabama where storms could turn severe.
Hazards, including hail, downpours and localized damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, could accompany any severe thunderstorm that develops. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is 75 mph.
Severe storms to ramp up Tuesday
The risk of severe thunderstorms will blossom Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night across a large swath of the central United States from Texas to southwestern Michigan.
Large metro areas, including Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and Kansas City, Missouri, could all be impacted by severe thunderstorms.
Hazards, including hail, flash flooding and damaging wind gusts, are expected with any severe thunderstorm. There will also be the risk of tornadoes as well. The AccuWeather StormMax™ wind gust outside of tornadoes is 80 mph.
"The greatest tornado risk Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night is expected to develop from Missouri to Indiana," said Douty.
The higher risk could reach close to Chicago or at least its southern suburbs in Illinois.
Residents, especially in this zone but also across the entire area at risk for severe weather, should identify the safest place to shelter at home, work or school in the event a tornado occurs.
"Regardless of whether or not the event will reach tornado outbreak proportions, all it takes is one tornado to strike a populated area, leading to multiple casualties," Sosnowski said. "People should take the upcoming 'severe weather outbreak' threat seriously. This means whether they are home, at work, at school or driving through the region on the interstate highways, they should keep up with forecasts and severe weather bulletins."
Severe threat shifts east Wednesday
As the storm tracks east into the Great Lakes, so will the risk of severe thunderstorms. The threat will stretch across a dozen states Wednesday and Wednesday night from eastern Texas to western Pennsylvania and western New York.
AccuWeather meteorologists have added a moderate risk of severe weather that includes portions of western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio on Wednesday.
Hail, damaging wind gusts of 60-70 mph and isolated tornadoes could accompany any severe thunderstorm. Those traveling to and from any airports in the region, as well as on roadways including portions of interstates 10, 20, 40, 64 and 70, should prepare for potential delays.
Storms on Thursday may still be potent
A large swath of drenching showers and heavy, gusty thunderstorms will extend from the Gulf to much of the Atlantic Seaboard on Thursday.
Within this zone, severe thunderstorms are likely in the Southeast states.
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