Keeping with the theme of the weekend, big thunderstorms targeting the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley are on tap for today. Similar to the start of the weekend, all modes of severe weather will be on the menu.
A strong area of low pressure winding up over the Great Plains will be the catalyst for today’s storminess. In fact, this same area of low pressure will march across the central U.S. into the Midwest through the next few days. This will result in strong to dangerous thunderstorms developing over a large portion of the central U.S.
The government’s Storm Prediction Center has already issued an Enhanced Risk, 3 out of 5 on the severe weather scale, for today and tomorrow’s activity. As for today, the main areas will be along the Nebraska Panhandle into northeastern Colorado as well as central Kansas into northern and western Oklahoma.
Cities such as McCook, Neb., Wichita, Kan., and Woodward, Okla., have the highest chance of seeing thunderstorm wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, as well as large and damaging hail greater than one inch in diameter. A few strong tornadoes cannot be ruled out either, especially across Kansas or Oklahoma later today. In fact, there is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for central Arkansas this morning, which includes towns such as Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Pine Bluff, Ark.
Encompassing the main area of severe weather today, a Slight Risk is also found stretching from northeastern Colorado into western Missouri southward towards Arkansas and central Texas. While this is 2 out of 5 on the severe weather scale, cities such as the Dallas metroplex area, Kansas City, Mo., Oklahoma City, Omaha, Neb., and Colby, Kan., will have a chance to see severe thunderstorms erupt later today as well.
Monday will be just as active across the Plains and Mississippi Valley as the storm threats shift eastward. The area of Enhanced Risk will expand across eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, northeastern Texas, Missouri, and northwestern Arkansas. Cities such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla., Dallas, Wichita, Kan., Kansas City, and Springfield, Mo., will be in the bullseye for thunderstorm wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, large and damaging hail greater than one inch in diameter, and even a few strong tornadoes.
However, the severe thunderstorm threat will reach as far south as central Texas to as far north as southeastern South Dakota on Monday. Robust storms could even develop across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys as well.
Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A “watch” means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A “warning” means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.
The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today's severe weather. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"
