Multiday severe risk threatens central US with winds, tornadoes and flooding
Rounds of thunderstorms will bring a multiday risk of heavy rain and severe weather to the central US, with Tuesday bringing the highest threat for damaging storms.
AccuWeather provided critical advance warning before an EF3 tornado, helping Nucor Steel take action, protect workers and avoid disaster.
Severe thunderstorms are expected to flare up on multiple days across the central United States this week, with some areas facing back-to-back rounds. Waves of storms and downpours over the same corridor could also raise the risk of flooding.
“Severe weather threats this week will span more than 1,600 miles, from the Plains to the Great Lakes," AccuWeather Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco said. "This is an especially concerning pattern because some communities may be hit by multiple rounds of storms."
Tuesday to bring biggest severe threat of the week
The most widespread and impactful severe weather is expected Tuesday as storms expand from Texas to the Great Lakes and into New England.
Thunderstorms from Texas to Michigan and New England will be capable of producing destructive hail, isolated tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is 85 mph.
A "high" risk of storms is predicted by AccuWeather meteorologists in part of the Midwest, including areas just north and west of Chicago, and into eastern Iowa and southern Wisconsin. "Strong storms may slow travel on highways, cause airport delays and create ripple effects for businesses and commuters," Danco said.
The greatest risk for tornadoes is on Tuesday afternoon and evening across eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
“We’re moving into the heart of the spring severe weather season. Now is the time to review your safety plan and make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings, including alerts that can wake you up at night," Danco added.
Wednesday: Severe risk continues
On Wednesday, the severe weather threat will focus a bit farther east, but many of the same areas at risk on previous days will still be at risk. Hail, downpours, isolated tornadoes and localized damaging wind gusts can occur from portions of northern Texas to Michigan and northern Ohio.
Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit are among the major cities at risk of severe weather.
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Thursday: Severe risk eases
Widespread severe weather will ease briefly Thursday. Even so, showers and thunderstorms are likely to redevelop across portions of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, producing gusty winds and drenching downpours. While a few storms could still turn severe, they will be fewer and farther between.
Friday: Severe thunderstorm risk returns
The risk for more widespread severe weather is set to return Friday as a new storm moves out of the Northwest and into the Plains.
Storms can occur from Texas to western Wisconsin.
Once again, storms that turn severe will be capable of producing hail, damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.
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