Central US to face severe weather, lightning dangers into this weekend
By
Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jun 18, 2020 4:05 PM EDT
It was a perfect time to capture hail, a break of sun in the clouds and even a rainbow in this neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, on June 16.
Parts of the central United States will face the daily threat of thunderstorms, some of which will turn severe, into this weekend. Whether storms become violent or not, all storms can pose lightning dangers for those with outdoor plans.
On Thursday, a narrow corridor from northern Kansas to central Minnesota faced heavy to severe thunderstorms that brought a scattering of hail and damaging wind reports.
Late Thursday, a separate cluster of severe storms erupted just east of Midland, Texas.
Part of this same area of West Texas faced severe weather on Friday. Storms reached the Dallas metro area on Friday night, when a wind gust to 57 mph was clocked.
Those with outdoor Father’s Day weekend plans across the nation’s midsection may have to dodge showers and thunderstorms or even a steadier band of rain. The entire weekend is not expected to be a washout in any one location, but residents should still monitor the weather and prepare to adjust their plans accordingly.
South of rain soaking Nebraska and Iowa for a time on Saturday, thunderstorms will rumble from near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago to Kansas City and Oklahoma City.
“Clouds and ongoing showers and thunderstorms that start Saturday may put a lid on a widespread severe weather risk,” according to AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist Eddie Walker. “However, where clouds manage to break and the sun comes out, people should watch out for localized severe thunderstorms.”
A more organized threat for severe thunderstorms will return on Sunday as another disturbance targets the Plains.
"Sunday may bring the most widespread threat for severe thunderstorms," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda.
"Anyone spending the day outdoors on Father's Day in the Plains will certainly need to be weather aware."
Thunderstorms into this weekend will bring beneficial rain
In addition to bringing heat relief to northern areas, the rounds of thunderstorms targeting the nation’s midsection are delivering beneficial rain.
Many areas in western Texas and Oklahoma are suffering from a moderate to severe drought with pockets of extreme drought status, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Parts of the northern Plains were also abnormally dry or experiencing a moderate drought.
The rain is also coming at a great time for farmers in the Corn Belt.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Weather News
Central US to face severe weather, lightning dangers into this weekend
By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jun 18, 2020 4:05 PM EDT
It was a perfect time to capture hail, a break of sun in the clouds and even a rainbow in this neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, on June 16.
Parts of the central United States will face the daily threat of thunderstorms, some of which will turn severe, into this weekend. Whether storms become violent or not, all storms can pose lightning dangers for those with outdoor plans.
On Thursday, a narrow corridor from northern Kansas to central Minnesota faced heavy to severe thunderstorms that brought a scattering of hail and damaging wind reports.
Late Thursday, a separate cluster of severe storms erupted just east of Midland, Texas.
Part of this same area of West Texas faced severe weather on Friday. Storms reached the Dallas metro area on Friday night, when a wind gust to 57 mph was clocked.
Those with outdoor Father’s Day weekend plans across the nation’s midsection may have to dodge showers and thunderstorms or even a steadier band of rain. The entire weekend is not expected to be a washout in any one location, but residents should still monitor the weather and prepare to adjust their plans accordingly.
South of rain soaking Nebraska and Iowa for a time on Saturday, thunderstorms will rumble from near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago to Kansas City and Oklahoma City.
“Clouds and ongoing showers and thunderstorms that start Saturday may put a lid on a widespread severe weather risk,” according to AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist Eddie Walker. “However, where clouds manage to break and the sun comes out, people should watch out for localized severe thunderstorms.”
A more organized threat for severe thunderstorms will return on Sunday as another disturbance targets the Plains.
Related:
"Sunday may bring the most widespread threat for severe thunderstorms," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda.
"Anyone spending the day outdoors on Father's Day in the Plains will certainly need to be weather aware."
Thunderstorms into this weekend will bring beneficial rain
In addition to bringing heat relief to northern areas, the rounds of thunderstorms targeting the nation’s midsection are delivering beneficial rain.
Many areas in western Texas and Oklahoma are suffering from a moderate to severe drought with pockets of extreme drought status, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Parts of the northern Plains were also abnormally dry or experiencing a moderate drought.
The rain is also coming at a great time for farmers in the Corn Belt.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo