Big Storms Pepper S. Plains to Lower Miss. Valley and Deep South Tonight

Dangerous thunderstorms continue to pepper parts of the southern Plains to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Deep South tonight. Destructive winds, large hail, and drenching rain will all be possible.

A long line of robust thunderstorms stretches from far southeastern Arkansas-Mississippi border through northern Louisiana and northeastern and eastern Texas. Warm, humid air ahead of the line will keep the activity organized for several more hours before finally fizzling across central Mississippi early Tuesday morning.

Severe Thunderstorm Watches remain in effect from northeastern Texas to northern Louisiana, extreme southeastern Arkansas, and northwestern Mississippi. Greenville and Greenwood, Miss., Alexandria and Monroe, La., and Lufkin, Texas, are included.

Cities such as Greenville and Jackson, Miss., and Lufkin, Texas, to Alexandria, La., will need to keep a watchful eye to the sky for threatening weather.

Additional potent thunderstorms could develop across central and eastern Oklahoma during the next few to several hours. This activity would pose a hail larger than golf balls risk primarily as it possibly spreads southeast into the Ozarks, northeastern Texas, and northwestern Arkansas throughout Tuesday morning. Oklahoma City, Norman, and Fort Sill, Okla., are all found in this greater severe weather danger zone.

Scattered damaging winds up to 70 mph and hail larger than golf balls will be the primary risks. Repeated intense thunderstorms could foster low-lying, urban, and streams, rivers, and creek flooding. A Flood Watch remains in effect for central and southern Oklahoma and a small part of northern Texas, including Oklahoma City, Norman, Lawton, Ada, and Ardmore, Okla. Remember, if you approach a road covered in water, it is best to "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"

As the low pressure pushes eastward, additional severe weather will be possible along a cold front in the lower Midwest and Missouri Valley Tuesday. 

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!”