A powerful storm system is set to trigger a widespread severe weather outbreak this weekend into the start of the new work week, threatening areas from the Mississippi and Ohio valleys to the Southeast with tornadoes, destructive winds, and very large hail.
As the storm system continues to intensify and moves into the Midwest and Great Lakes today, it will start to drag a cold front eastward. Along and ahead of this front, the atmosphere is expected to be rather unstable, given the unseasonably warm temperatures and high humidity.
A large Slight Risk stretches from northeastern Texas to northwestern Georgia, northward through Illinois, central Michigan, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania today. Within this area, a large Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) extends from Arkansas to northwestern Alabama through central and southern Illinois, much of Indiana, western and central Ohio, and much of Tennessee and Kentucky.
The main threats include strong tornadoes, some of which could be long-track, damaging wind gusts over 60 mph, and hail larger than golf balls. The most intense storms may produce baseball-sized hail. Storms are expected to develop by late this morning into the afternoon and continue into the overnight hours as they push eastward.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for southwestern Missouri and extreme northwestern Arkansas. This includes Springfield, Lebanon and Nevada, Mo.
Some cities in the main risk area today include Little Rock, Ark., Shreveport, La., Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., Louisville, Ky., Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Other cities at risk of a brief severe storm today include Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
As the cold front continues to push eastward for Monday, the threat for severe thunderstorms will envelop much of the South, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Northeast. A large Slight Risk area has been issued for Monday that stretches from southeastern Louisiana and the central Gulf Coast along the Appalachian Spine into central New York State. Within this region, an Enhanced Risk is located which has southeastern Alabama, northern Florida, much of Georgia into the Carolinas and southern Virginia included. Cities that should pay close attention to the weather on Monday include New Orleans to Albany, N.Y., including Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
Residents in the affected areas should stay alert and have a way to receive warnings. Remember, a watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather, while a warning means severe weather is imminent—seek shelter immediately. Keep devices charged and have a safety plan ready. Stay updated on this evolving severe weather threat through trusted sources like the WeatherBug app for the latest alerts.
