Damaging wind, hail and tornadoes to threaten south-central US into Thursday
While millions of people may be focused on post-holiday activities, severe thunderstorms, including the potential for a few tornadoes, will shift across southeastern Louisiana, eastern Mississippi and western Alabama through Thursday afternoon.
A storm will grow in size and strength over the central United States. The storm has produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions on its northern and western flank and is expected to bring flooding rain on its southern and eastern flank.
Where the air becomes warm and humid enough, locally drenching thunderstorms will spring up and turn severe over part of the Deep South.
The full spectrum of severe weather is anticipated with these storms. Everything from frequent lightning strikes to flooding downpours, hail, strong wind gusts and isolated tornadoes may occur with this setup into Thursday night.
Strong wind gusts in absence of thunder and lightning will press eastward across the Ohio Valley into Thursday night. Gusts may top 50 mph in some locations, which is strong enough to knock down trees and cause sporadic power outages.
"We are also monitoring the potential for a separate area of locally severe thunderstorms to erupt in parts of Iowa, western Illinois and northern Missouri during late Thursday afternoon and evening," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rossio.
"If all the key ingredients come into place, there is a risk for a tornado or two in this zone as well," Rossio said.
This is a situation where people should monitor the weather for changing conditions in their area. This is not only for the potential approach of a severe thunderstorm or tornado, but also for when the threat of severe weather has passed.
The first severe storms erupted from western Texas to west-central Oklahoma during Wednesday afternoon and developed into a squall line as they moved eastward across Texas and into Arkansas Wednesday night.
Due to ongoing lightning and the threat of severe weather, the First Responder Bowl in Dallas was canceled on Wednesday following a delay.
Drenching downpours with thunder, lightning and locally gusty winds affected the Houston and Little Rock, Arkansas, areas during morning rush hour.
High winds from thunderstorms knocked down scores of trees in west-central Mississippi during the midday hours on Thursday.
Download the free AccuWeather app to check the latest forecast and receive severe weather bulletins for your location.
Strong and drenching storms are likely to reach portions of eastern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle during Thursday night.
Conditions are not expected to be favorable to produce widespread severe thunderstorms over the Southeastern states late Thursday night and Friday. However, isolated severe thunderstorms cannot be ruled out in northeastern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas on Friday.
At the very least, the potential for flooding downpours and locally strong winds will continue as the storms approach the northeastern Gulf coast and the southern Atlantic Seaboard Friday night.
Motorists are reminded to never attempt to drive through flooded areas. The water may be much deeper than it appears. The road surface may have been washed away beneath the water. A foot of water can cause some vehicles to lose traction and/or stall. Two feet of water is enough to cause most vehicles to float.
2018 was a record breaking year for extreme weather events and storms. Extreme Meteorologist and Storm Chaser Reed Timmer talked to us about his top 5 chases of the year. He discussed some of his most dangerous experiences, what it's like to be out in the field, and the moments he'll never forget!
