Severe Storms Rumble Across The Plains

A quick moving disturbance will help produce scattered severe thunderstorms across portions of the central and southern Plains today. 

A small but fast moving upper-air disturbance will southeastward out of the northern and central Rockies today along a nearly stationary surface front. This front will separate a hot and humid air mass to the south from a cooler and drier air mass found to the north of this front. 

The collision of these two air masses will help fuel strong to severe thunderstorms today and tonight across the nation's midsection. 

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, across much of Kansas into northeastern Oklahoma and far northwestern Arkansas. 

Large hail larger than golf balls and wind gusts greater than 60 mph will be the primary threat from thunderstorms today, along with localized heavy rainfall. Cities such as Wichita, Kan., and Tulsa, Okla. are at risk today. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for northern Oklahoma, extreme southwestern Missouri, and extreme northeastern Arkansas, including cities such as Ponca City and Tulsa, Okla., and Fayetteville, Ark.

A few gusty thunderstorms may also develop across the Great Lakes into the Ohio and Tennessee valleys today. In these areas, any stronger thunderstorm will be capable of producing wind gusts greater than 50 mph and small hail. 

Cities such as Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Louisville, Key., Nashville, Tenn., and Little Rock, Ark. are at risk for a stronger thunderstorm today.

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!”