Severe Storms Move Into Parts of Northeast, Great Plains

Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop over portions of the upper Ohio Valley, central Appalachians, the Ozarks, and southern High Plains today. A few stronger storms may even reach into the I-95 corridor from Washington to New York City this evening.

A warm and unstable air mass exists over much of the upper Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic region. A storm system moving into eastern Canada will send a cold front toward this air mass during the afternoon and evening hours, helping to ignite scattered thunderstorms.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for eastern Ohio and for most of Pennsylvania. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch dots the eastern and southern periphery of this Tornado Watch, including eastern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and portions of New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. Cities under a watch include Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Penn., Wheeling and Martinsburg, W.Va., and Akron, Ohio. Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place across southwestern Ohio and nearby portions of Indiana and Kentucky. This includes the entire Cincinnati metro area.

In anticipation of today's severe weather, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, across Ohio, northern West Virginia, western Maryland, Pennsylvania, and western New York. 

Wind gusts of 55-65 mph and small hail will be the primary threats from storms this afternoon and evening. However, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out. 

Cities at risk include Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, N.Y. A few stronger thunderstorms may also impact Louisville, Ky., Detroit, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York where storms may produce wind gusts of 45-55 mph.

In addition to the severe weather, heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding in the region. Flood Watches have been issued for portions of northeastern Ohio into central Pennsylvania as well as New Mexico, mostly toward the northwestern corner of the state.

Other Slight Risk areas was issued in the southern High Plains and Front Range as well as the Ozarks. In the High Plains, upper-level energy combines combines with far-reaching gulf moisture and high heat to spur up isolated to scattered severe storms. In the Ozarks, the sagging cold front and stronger instability kick up severe storms. Wind gusts in excess of 55 mph and hail will be possible from localized storms in these regions today.

Cities under this risk include Springfield, Mo., Tulsa, Okla., Clayton, N.M., Ulysses, Colo., and Guymon, Okla.

 A Severe Thunderstorm Watch stretches from the Texas Panhandle to central Missouri. Those within this watch include Amarillo, Texas, Watonga, Okla., and Joplin and Springfield, Mo.

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!”