Heat to fuel another round of severe weather across north-central US on Monday
Heat sizzling the central United States will help fuel another round of severe weather on Monday.
Clusters of thunderstorms formed in the steamy air across the central Plains and Midwest on Sunday night, targeting communities from Nebraska through Iowa, southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
These storms produced frequent lightning, soaking rainfall and quarter-sized hail. These threats, in addition to damaging winds, are expected in any storms that form on Monday as well.
"While a couple of tornadoes cannot be ruled out during the severe weather threat, the greatest risk to lives and property will be from strong wind gusts, flooding downpours and hail," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey.
Cities at risk include Des Moines, Iowa; Grand Rapids, Michigan; South Bend, Indiana; Moline and Chicago, Illinois. The Yankees-White Sox game, scheduled to begin around 8:00 p.m. EDT in Chicago, could face rain delays or a postponement.
Afternoon storms are also expected to fire over the Plains of southern Wyoming, Colorado and northern New Mexico.
Hail can damage vehicles; the strongest winds can overturn high-profile vehicles. Downpours will reduce visibility and heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds.
People spending time outdoors across these areas should keep an eye out for rapidly-changing weather conditions. Be sure to move indoors at the first rumble of thunder.
A hard-top vehicle is a relatively safe location for avoiding being hit by lightning. Picnic pavilions, a lone tree and a group of trees are dangerous places to ride out a thunderstorm.
Even in the absence of severe weather, remember to seek shelter as soon as thunder is heard. The danger of being struck by lightning is then present.
In the wake of Monday's severe weather, more typical summertime highs are anticipated across the Upper Midwest on Tuesday. Largely dry weather is expected, while showers and thunderstorms persist over the lower Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert to any severe weather dangers or thunderstorms headed your way.
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