AccuWeather forecasters raise threat level for severe weather around Great Lakes region
Rounds of gusty thunderstorms are expected to ride the edge of a 'heat dome' through midweek across the central U.S., and AccuWeather forecasters say some could turn severe and impact travel.
Severe thunderstorms, including some that pose a significant risk to lives and property, will slice through parts of the central United States into the middle of the week along the edge of a tremendous dome of heat, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
The thunderstorms will feed off the heat in many areas and travel along a corridor where the warmth interfaces with cooler air trying to move south from Canada. Some of the storms could survive across multiple states for hundreds of miles as they form and move to the east-southeast through midweek.
Storm threat to progress quickly across Great Lakes region Wednesday
Some thunderstorms that formed and wreaked havoc in the Plains Tuesday will survive through Wednesday evening as they move across the Great Lakes region, according to AccuWeather forecasters. New and even more vigorous storms will erupt into Wednesday night around the Great Lakes.
The area where there's at least 'some' risk for severe thunderstorms into Wednesday night extends across portions of five states from the lower Peninsula of Michigan and northern Indiana to northern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. In addition, a large part of southwestern Ontario will also be in the path of potentially violent storms.
Earlier this week, AccuWeather meteorologists imposed a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms smack in the middle of the threat zone. On Wednesday morning, forecasters added a high risk area based on the likelihood of thunderstorms packing powerful wind gusts that can knock down trees, trigger regional power outages and cause significant property damage for a large portion of southern Michigan.
"This energy could translate into storms with damaging wind gusts, hail and even a tornado or two," AccuWeather Meteorologist Haley Taylor said.
Detroit is included in that higher risk zone where thunderstorms will interrupt amidst very warm and humid days with temperatures well into the 80s and even near 90. Residents in Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis and Milwaukee will also be at risk of severe storms.
Travelers on portions of interstates 55, 70, 75, 80 and 90 will have to slow down when encountering heavy thunderstorms since driving could become dangerous for a time, forecasters say.
The storms may evolve into a long-lasting, high-powered thunderstorm complex known as a derecho. Within a derecho, conditions similar to a hurricane are possible. The official designation for a derecho is wind damage that extends for more than 240 miles and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph or greater. A derecho typically tracks across a region at a rapid pace, posing a higher risk to residents who may have little time to prepare or take shelter.
The severe weather threat will not wane as storms track farther east into Thursday. Parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast will again see a risk later this week.
Meanwhile, more storms will erupt over the Upper Midwest on Thursday afternoon and evening.
These storms will focus on parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin but may extend into portions of Iowa and northern Illinois as well.
More storms possible later this week
The "train" of thunderstorms will roll on later this week, as additional rounds of storms that are expected to develop in the time frame from Thursday to Saturday could again turn severe, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.
These storms, this time in association with a strong cold front dropping south from Canada, will erupt from Iowa to southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois before extending farther to the east into northern Ohio, southern Michigan, southwest Ontario, northwestern Pennsylvania and part of western New York.
Behind the thunderstorms and cold front, a much more refreshing air mass will bring some heat relief to millions across the northern U.S. into next week.
"Parts of the northern Plains, Midwest and Northeast should experience much more comfortable conditions by next week," said Taylor. "The cold front bringing this relief from the heat will also push moisture farther south, ending the threat for storms for several days."
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