More than 20 million at risk for severe weather on Thursday
By
Ryan Adamson, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Feb 16, 2022 6:02 AM EST
|
Updated Feb 17, 2022 6:06 AM EST
A springlike setup is in place across parts of the nation's midsection with unseasonably warm and moist air clashing with incoming colder air, AccuWeather forecasters say. This battle between warm and frigid air will produce a volatile round of severe weather through Thursday evening.
This severe weather is unfolding on the warmer side of a robust storm that is expected to impact much of the eastern half of the United States through the end of the week with flooding rain, snow and powerful winds.
"Winds high in the atmosphere are expected to be transported to the surface, and there will be a risk of tornadoes from the Texas-Louisiana border to Alabama," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Jessica Storm.
As warm and moist air surges northward, the risk for severe thunderstorms will not stay confined to locations near the Gulf Coast. Cities as far north as Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, could be in line for potent storms.
Powerful winds could gust to an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 90 mph anywhere from eastern Texas and Oklahoma through eastern Kentucky and northern Georgia.
"Major cities like New Orleans; Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Montgomery, Alabama; and even Atlanta are at risk for severe weather Thursday into the evening," stated Storm. Populations in these cities, and communities in between include more than 20 million people who will be impacted by the severe weather threat.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had labeled the severe weather threat for Thursday as "enhanced." The enhanced risk is considered to be 3 on the scale from 1 to 5 with 5 posing the greatest threat. A population of more than 7.2 million resides in the area highlighted as enhanced and includes cities such as Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, Jackson, Mississippi and Huntsville, Alabama.
Within the enhanced risk area is a zone where the risk of tornadoes may be most likely. Damaging wind gusts and hail area also possible with thunderstorms in this area.
The battleground in the atmosphere between warm and cold air will add strength to the thunderstorms.
For example, the forecast high in Montgomery, Alabama, is 79 degrees on Thursday. Typically, the city only reaches the middle 60s, on average in mid-February. Montgomery usually does not see values near 80 until the middle of April. Other locations in the region will also achieve high temperatures more representative of April as well, including Atlanta and Nashville.
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Farther to the north and northeast, there will be little to no risk of severe weather. However, heavy rain will be a threat. This will elevate the flood risk, especially in locations where the ground is frozen and a significant amount of snow remains on the ground. This will cause much of the rain to runoff, which can cause small streams to flood as well as flooding in urban areas.
Behind this dynamic system, a snap back to reality will occur.
"By Friday morning, temperatures will have fallen as low as the 30s and 40s across the western Gulf Coast," said Storm.
Thunderstorms may linger into early Friday in the northeastern Gulf and southern Atlantic and mid-Atlantic regions. These storms are not forecast to pack the same punch as the storms rumbling through the South on Thursday. That said, locally heavy rain and gusty winds will still be possible with the stronger storms.
A dry and seasonable Saturday is expected, and the tranquil weather will continue into Sunday, with temperatures above normal once again.
For the latest weather news check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform.
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News / Severe Weather
More than 20 million at risk for severe weather on Thursday
By Ryan Adamson, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Feb 16, 2022 6:02 AM EST | Updated Feb 17, 2022 6:06 AM EST
A springlike setup is in place across parts of the nation's midsection with unseasonably warm and moist air clashing with incoming colder air, AccuWeather forecasters say. This battle between warm and frigid air will produce a volatile round of severe weather through Thursday evening.
This severe weather is unfolding on the warmer side of a robust storm that is expected to impact much of the eastern half of the United States through the end of the week with flooding rain, snow and powerful winds.
"Winds high in the atmosphere are expected to be transported to the surface, and there will be a risk of tornadoes from the Texas-Louisiana border to Alabama," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Jessica Storm.
As warm and moist air surges northward, the risk for severe thunderstorms will not stay confined to locations near the Gulf Coast. Cities as far north as Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, could be in line for potent storms.
Powerful winds could gust to an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 90 mph anywhere from eastern Texas and Oklahoma through eastern Kentucky and northern Georgia.
"Major cities like New Orleans; Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Montgomery, Alabama; and even Atlanta are at risk for severe weather Thursday into the evening," stated Storm. Populations in these cities, and communities in between include more than 20 million people who will be impacted by the severe weather threat.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had labeled the severe weather threat for Thursday as "enhanced." The enhanced risk is considered to be 3 on the scale from 1 to 5 with 5 posing the greatest threat. A population of more than 7.2 million resides in the area highlighted as enhanced and includes cities such as Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, Jackson, Mississippi and Huntsville, Alabama.
Within the enhanced risk area is a zone where the risk of tornadoes may be most likely. Damaging wind gusts and hail area also possible with thunderstorms in this area.
The battleground in the atmosphere between warm and cold air will add strength to the thunderstorms.
For example, the forecast high in Montgomery, Alabama, is 79 degrees on Thursday. Typically, the city only reaches the middle 60s, on average in mid-February. Montgomery usually does not see values near 80 until the middle of April. Other locations in the region will also achieve high temperatures more representative of April as well, including Atlanta and Nashville.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Farther to the north and northeast, there will be little to no risk of severe weather. However, heavy rain will be a threat. This will elevate the flood risk, especially in locations where the ground is frozen and a significant amount of snow remains on the ground. This will cause much of the rain to runoff, which can cause small streams to flood as well as flooding in urban areas.
Behind this dynamic system, a snap back to reality will occur.
"By Friday morning, temperatures will have fallen as low as the 30s and 40s across the western Gulf Coast," said Storm.
Thunderstorms may linger into early Friday in the northeastern Gulf and southern Atlantic and mid-Atlantic regions. These storms are not forecast to pack the same punch as the storms rumbling through the South on Thursday. That said, locally heavy rain and gusty winds will still be possible with the stronger storms.
A dry and seasonable Saturday is expected, and the tranquil weather will continue into Sunday, with temperatures above normal once again.
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For the latest weather news check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform.
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